Crystal Palace chairman Simon Jordan said that he is ready to allow Steve Bruce to leave Selhurst Park and become the new Birmingham manager, but only on Palace's terms.
Jordan spoke to BBC Radio Five Live after Palace's 2-2 draw with Walsall on Saturday and said he is looking for a new manager who is not contracted to another club.
He is threatening to hold Bruce to his notice period, believed to be nine months, unless Birmingham agree not to "poach" any players or backroom staff.
Jordan said: "Bruce can go but only on our terms.
"I can't shout foul and then go and do the same thing. I won't go out and do the same thing. I will wait until the right man becomes available, but in the meantime I have to make sure my management staff are not taken and my players are not taken.
"I have a club I have spent £21 million on. I have a brilliant squad of players, I have a brilliant management staff which we have spent a lot of time putting together. I'm not going to let anyone jeopardise that."
Jordan wants Kember and Bullivant to help him pick the new manager and keep their jobs when that new man comes in.
He added: "Until I get the right person who has the same attitude as Steve Bruce had in his short time in charge, and also wants Steve Kember and Terry Bullivant, things will stay as they are." They both took charge of team affairs at Walsall and the Eagles got a point at the Bescot Stadium, although the players were clearly affected by Bruce's "departure".
Caretaker manager Kember said: "The situation with Steve (Bruce) since Thursday has become a little unsettling for the players but now we have a two-week break and the issue could be resolved in that time. If not, then Terry and I will take the team against Crewe Alexandra.
"The chairman has spoken to me about the matter and explained that he doesn't want to lose either of us and will be looking to bring someone into the club like he did with Steve Bruce once the whole matter has been concluded."
Palace went a goal down in the 25th minute when Tony Barras headed home a free-kick.
Five minutes later, David Hopkin equalised when he hit the net with a low drive through a crowd of players.
The Saddlers took the lead again from a corner just before the break.
In the second half, Palace pushed for an equaliser and Dougie Freedman got a deserved leveller with 10 minutes left.
But Kember was disappointed with Palace's defending.
He said: "We played some excellent football at times but were also guilty of some poor defending.
"I was disappointed with our defending from set pieces which cost us both goals.
"I can only describe both Walsall goals as sloppy defending from our point of view.
"A constant point of our season has been our ability to play attractive football but at the same time work hard as a team for the ninety minutes, and this we had to do at Walsall."
Palace now have a little break before playing their next game, at home to Crewe on Saturday, November 17.
In the meantime, Bruce is likely to join Birmingham, which will be his fifth club in three years.
November 6, 2001 10:13
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