PREMIERSHIP FOOTBALL
Today it emerged that Steve Bruce has parted company with Birmingham City and the 46 year old is set to become the manager of Wigan Athletic for the second time in his career.
The last time the former Manchester United centre half called the shots at the JJB stadium the side were in League one.
His spell at Wigan in 2001 lasted for just 7 weeks. He dumped the Latics for Crystal Palace despite enjoying a fantasic bri
ef spell at the club which almost yielded promotion.
Many supporters in Wigan still feel Bruce betrayed them and the new boss will have to work hard to win over the affections of many of the supporters.
The priority for the time being though is picking up points but Bruce's first game as boss could well be the most difficult of his reign in charge.
Playing Arsenal at the Emirates is a difficult task at the best of times but on Saturday Wigan will simply be hoping Bruce can give them a crash course in damage limitation.
The former England star has been Birmingham City manager for nearly six years but there were fears in the midlands that the takeover of the club by Hong Kong business man Carson Yeung would lead to Bruce's sacking.
Ironically Bruce guided Birmingham to a 3-2 win over Wigan at the end of October contributing to the latic's woeful run.
At the time of writing Getminted sports understands Bruce has not as yet signed a contract at Wigan.
However Wigan Chairman David Whelan confirmed to the press that an agreement had been reached with Birmingham City and that the club were preparing to unveil Bruce as the new manager.
The vacancy at the JJB came about after Chris Hutchins was sacked at the start of the month after just 12 games in charge of the Latics.
Currently Wigan sit second from bottom of the Premiership with just 8 points from a possible 39.
As well as Arsenal the blue and whites will face Manchester City and Blackburn Rovers in the coming weeks so things are likely to get worse before they get better for the Greater Manchester minnows.
Steve Bruce started off his managerial career at Sheffield United in 1998 but could only manage a mid table finish with the blades.
It's rumoured that former Wigan boss Paul Jewell may become the next Birmingham City manager but the Liverpudlian has confirmed he is interested in the Republic of Ireland job.
Wigan's horrific Premiership season so far............
Aug 11 - Everton 2-1 Wigan
Aug 15 - Wigan 1-0 Middlesbrough
Aug 18 - Wigan 3-0 Sunderland
Aug 25 - West Ham United 1-1 Wigan
Sept 1 - Newcastle United 1-0 Wigan
Sept 15 - Wigan 1-1 Fulham
Sept 22 - Reading 2-1 Wigan
Sept 29 - Wigan 0-1 Liverpool
Oct 6 - Man United 4-0 Wigan
Oct 20 - Wigan 0-2 Portsmouth
Oct 27 - Birmingham 3-2 Wigan
Nov 3 - Wigan 0-2 Chelsea
Nov 11 - Tottenham 4-0 Wigan
