Wigan Athletic's move to appoint Steve Bruce as their new manager has been delayed due to 'unforseen circumstances.'

Bruce, who left his post at Birmingham City to take up the job at the JJB Stadium, was due to be unveiled to the media today.

Brenda Spencer, the Wigan chief executive said "an issue between Birmingham and Steve" had caused the move to be put on hold, but that it was expected to be resolved "in the next 24 hours." She also denied that Wigan's proposed appointment of Eric Black, Bruce's No 2 at St. Andrews, was the reason for the delay.

Bruce was scheduled to sign his contract in Wigan this morning and Spencer said that the 46-year-old, who managed Wigan previously for short spell in 2001 was "very upset" at the news.

"We thought we would be announcing the new manager this afternoon and, as you all know, it was going to be Steve Bruce," Spencer said. "Unfortunately something has come up. It is an issue between Birmingham and Steve and, until it is resolved, we cannot announce him as our new manager.

"Our chairman is desperate that we have a manager in place and he is hopeful that something will happen in the next 24 hours. I think we just have to sit tight, hold fire and hope that something will be resolved."