After taking his Scotland team to the brink of Euro 2008 there is up roar in Scotland after manager Alex McLeish announced that he is set to take the reigns at Premiership strugglers Birmingham City in a  move which may cost the midlands club up to £1 million in compensation.  So what happened and where does this leave Scottish football?

It seems that despite denials only last week that he was looking to leave the post for the Premiership, Alex McLeish has long harboured ambitions for arguably the best football league in the world.  It seems that while in South Africa for the World Cup draw Birmingham City had approached the SFA to ask for permission to speak to McLeish.  Initially this request was rejected and permission was not granted, however events seem to have taken a bizarre turn when McLeish left for “business” in London, only to fax over a one line letter of resignation a few hours later.

While there has been no official confirmation that McLeish is the new Birmingham City boss, the news is surely to follow.  McLeish left Scotland on a salary of about £350,000 a year with rumours that he has signed a £1 million a year rolling contract with the midland giants.  Can he succeed? Who will be the next Scotland boss?

These are questions on the lips of all football fans today as the Scottish game looks for its third national coach in less than 12 months – not exactly a sign of stability.  Then again the team have been doing very well, so who ever take on the role has a great starting position.