Jewell favourite to be next Birmingham City manager

 With Steve Bruce having left Birmingham for Wigan on Monday - as confirmed by Wigan chairman Dave Whelan - Birmingham confirmed that they spoke to former Tottenham manager Jol at the weekend about taking over.

 But the Dutchman turned them down, leaving Jewell, who quit Wigan in the summer in order to rest, as the favourite to replace Bruce.

 "We did speak to Martin over the weekend," said Birmingham's plc chairman David Sullivan said on Tuesday.

 "Martin thanked us for our interest but said it was too early for him to consider coming back to football.

 "Martin is the type of coach we are looking at - someone with a pedigree that will excite supporters," he said.

 "The usual suspects will be on everyone's lips but this could be a fresh start for Birmingham.

 "We are looking at candidates of a certain level. It is difficult to try to get someone in who the dressing room will respect.

 "Do you take a chance on an unproven coach at this level with a group of young players who will need guidance and will be looking for inspiration?

   "Or do you go for a more experienced voice, someone respected in the world of football?"

   Apart from Jewell, Alex McLeish, who took Scotland close to reaching the finals of Euro 2008, is also thought to be keen on a move to the Premier League.

DPA