Alex McLeish denies rumours of rift at Birmingham City

Jun 28 2009 by Colin Tattum, Sunday Mercury

BLUES have acted quickly to play down suggestions of a rift between Alex McLeish and the board of directors.

Reports yesterday suggested co-owner David Sullivan had over-ruled the manager on the signing of Ecuadorian defender Giovanny Espinoza.

The 32-year-old’s agents were reported to have gone directly to Sullivan after McLeish rejected the chance to take him, for around $600,000.

The transfer then apparently went ahead after Sullivan spoke with agent and former winger Barry Silkman, a close confidant of the co-owner.

McLeish was out of the country on holiday when Espinoza’s move was announced on Wednesday.

In a statement issued by Blues, he insisted that his relationship with the St Andrew’s hierarchy was good.

“The board has given me great backing so far, so I’m dismayed by claims suggesting I am not happy with the signing of Espinoza,” he said.

“The deal made good financial sense and, although he’s a rookie in English terms, he has vast international experience and it will be up to the centre-backs to compete as I attempt to build a solid spine.