Football betting: next Wigan boss

Steve Bruce has become the 8/11 favourite with Totesport to become the next Wigan Athletic manager after the Lancashire club made an official approach to Birmingham City on Wednesday. Wigan, whose "unbelievable offer" to tempt Paul Jewell back to the Premier League club was rejected by Chris Hutchins's predecessor earlier in the week, have had their initial request for permission to approach Bruce rejected by Birmingham - who also spurned a similar recent approach when Bruce was favourite in the football betting to take the Bolton Wanderers job. However, with Birmingham still smarting from their derby defeat to Aston Villa at the weekend and lying sixth from bottom of the Premier League it is thought that owners David Gold and David Sullivan may change their stance. For his part, Bruce has become increasingly unsettled at Birmingham since prospective buyer Carson Yeung refused to sanction the new, improved contract that the former Manchester United captain has agreed with his current employers. The 47-year-old has enjoyed a good relationship with Gold and Sullivan since joining Birmingham nearly six years ago, turning down the chance to join hometown club Newcastle United in 2004 and enjoying the owners' backing during a disappointing spell of poor results last term. "Steve has worked with me before, he was with me at Wigan five or six years ago for two months and did a super job then," said Wigan chairman Whelan. "I know he's in a bit of a situation at Birmingham because of the takeover, they will not give him an answer or extend his contract, which is running out, so obviously he was a candidate for us." Until yesterday Joe Royle had been the frontrunner for the post which Wigan insist will be filled by the time their next Premier League match against Arsenal comes around on 28 November. The former Oldham, Everton and Ipswich Town boss is now 7/2 (Bet365), while Graeme Souness, who has expressed an interest in the Wigan position, Scotland manager Alex McLeish and Paul Ince are also in the frame. Next Wigan boss odds: Steve Bruce @ 8/11 (Totesport); Joe Royle @ 7/2 (Bet365); Graeme Souness @ 16/1 (Bet365); Alex McLeish @ 20/1 (Coral, Ladbrokes); Paul Ince @ 25/1 (Betfair); Chris Coleman @28/1 (Totesport); Dave Jones, John Collins (Betfred), David O'Leary (Bet365) @ 33/1; Stuart Pearce @ 50/1 (Betfair)