Birmingham threaten to sue rivals Villa

Birmingham City have threatened legal action in an attempt to block Aston Villa from signing former manager Alex McLeish.

McLeish resigned from the Blues in dubious circumstances on Sunday, tendering his notice in an email to acting chairman Peter Pannu while the latter was in Amsterdam on business.

The Scot had two years left to run on his contract with the relegated club, who had expected their manager to remain on and guide Birmingham back into the English Premier League.

Instead, his shock resignation fuelled rumours of a switch to Villa, who are searching for a replacement for health-stricken Gerard Houllier.

Villa reportedly sparked a terse exchange with Birmingham by notifying their Midlands rivals of their intention to approach McLeish as a ‘free agent’.

In response, Pannu has outlined his intention to sue under the terms of McLeish’s contract and file a complaint with the Premier League over Villa’s actions, believing the club have coerced the resignation to avoid paying compensation.

According to their agreement with McLeish, Birmingham are owed 5.4 million pounds if he joins another club before June 30.

This figure would have dropped to three million pounds had McLeish waited until July 1 to resign.

“The urgency of this email coming from Aston Villa shows they can’t even wait 15 days,” Pannu said.

“So this is the urgency of the matter. I think it shows the whole world what this is all about. They can’t wait, wouldn’t wait.”

“But I can put one and one together now. He thinks he can walk away because the 5.4 million compensation is too much for Villa and he cannot let this opportunity pass.”

“He is not willing to fork out 5.4 million himself, even though if he goes to Villa he is likely to be on two million a year.”

“I will be getting an injunction preventing Villa from hiring him. Either Villa pick up his tab or I will be reporting it now to the Premier League.”

“If he came to me and said, ‘Pete, we had a great relationship but Villa want me’ I would say I would grant you permission if you give me 5.4 million by the end of this month, or Villa do.”

“I don’t care who pays me. If he says, ‘Peter, I want to go for free’, of course I wouldn’t grant it. I’d say, ‘You have taken me down with the relegation, now take me back up’.”

“He knew that permission through the proper channels would not be forthcoming.”