Wigan chairman Whelan confirms Bruce as new manager

Speculation had been rife that Bruce was ready to swap one Premier League side for another and Whelan told SkySports that he had got his man.

 "When Paul Jewell (the former Wigan manager) decided he was not going to come back I was a little bit disappointed but Steve Bruce is the guy we wanted," Whelan said.

 "I'm delighted we've got him, I think he's a big loss for Birmingham and a big signing for Wigan Athletic.

 "He'll be a fantastic signing for Wigan Athletic. He's one of the best young managers in the land, I'm delighted we've got him and he'll bring enthusiasm, knowledge and spirit to our team.

 "We have a good team now, we have some good players. We've had some bad luck with injuries and when Steve comes in he I know he will want a midfield player and maybe a striker - and I will be backing him exactly the same way I did with Paul Jewell.

 "Under Steve Bruce we know Wigan will be a fighting team."

   Bruce is set to earn 2 million pounds (4.1 million dollars, 2.8 million euros) a year at Wigan, while the club will pay Birmingham 3 million pounds in compensation.

 "What he earns he deserves - he will keep us out of relegation problems and all the fans will be delighted we've got him," Whelan said.

 Bruce, who fills the vacancy created by the sacking of Chris Hutchings earlier this month, will take charge of his first game against leaders Arsenal this weekend.

 The former Manchester United defender had a brief spell in charge of Wigan in 2001, but had been at Birmingham manager for almost six years.

 The proposed takeover of the club by Hong Kong businessman Carson Yeung, however, had placed his future in jeopardy.

 Wigan are second-from-bottom in the league, with just two league wins from their first 13 games.

 Birmingham were expected to confirm the news later on Monday.