Aston Villa have agreed to pay Birmingham City £2m compensation for appointing Alex McLeish as manager, according to Sky Sports News.
McLeish’s three-year deal is expected to be finalised today after a week of legal threats from Birmingham City and anger from Villa supporters.
Following McLeish’s sudden resignation on Sunday, the Blues’ management had threatened to pursue an injunction to prevent McLeish from walking into another club and suggested they would complain to the Premier League over Villa’s tapping him.
They had also claimed they were entitled to £5.4m compensation if McLeish, who had two years left on his contract, joined another club this month.
A vocal section of Villa’s fanbase has reacted furiously to the appointment, protesting outside Villa Park on Wednesday evening and daubing graffiti on the entrance of the club’s Bodymoor Heath training ground.