Alex McLeish is expected to be named as the new manager of Birmingham City after quitting as Scotland head coach.

The Premier League club are almost certain to confirm the appointment at a press conference scheduled for 10.30am tomorrow.

McLeish resigned from his international post today only hours after the Scottish Football Association refused an unnamed club permission to speak to him.

Gordon Smith, the SFA chief executive, said earlier today: “Yes, we have had an official approach for our manager. We don’t want to discuss it at all, so the club involved has been advised they cannot have permission to speak to Alex at the moment.

Reports said Birmingham were prepared to triple the £350,000 annual salary that McLeish earned with Scotland. The Midlands club want him to replace Steve Bruce, who has left for Wigan Athletic, while Eric Black, the caretaker manager, was today allowed to leave and rejoin Bruce as his number two at the JJB Stadium.

By blocking the approach for McLeish, the SFA put itself in a strong position in any potential negotiations over compensation.

Smith predicted approaches for McLeish last week. “When it comes down to it you have a scenario where the manager says, ’I'm going, there’s nothing you can do about it,’ then you have to get into negotiations with the club," he said.

Speaking after the World Cup draw on Sunday, McLeish said that it was “absolutely crazy” people were backing him to be the next Birmingham manager. However, he admitted a Premier League job would be “attractive in the long term”.

Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill, who was in charge of Celtic while McLeish was boss at Rangers, said his Birmingham rivals would be making a top-class appointment.

“If Birmingham get Alex, and people are saying that is the case, they’ll be getting a very good manager, a very good manager indeed," O'Neill said.

“I know the Scottish players have been very pleased with him and the Scottish FA will be disappointed to lose him.

“That’s two really good managers they’ve had in recent times in Walter Smith and Alex. If Birmingham get the chance to take Alex, they should do it.”