Bruce's disgust with Birmingham over Wigan job wrangle

Bruce finally took up his new post on Monday, five days after a planned unveiling was abandoned over a last-minute financial dispute.

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Wigan chairman Dave Whelan paid a record £3million compensation for the St Andrew's manager, but Birmingham suddenly refused to let Bruce leave until he handed back £225,000 in image rights paid in advance. That was eventually settled by a £100,000 compromise.

But Bruce said: 'I was utterly disgusted. It leaves a bitter taste. After six years' service I felt I deserved better than that. Familiarity does breed a contempt.

'The £3m was supposed to be compensation. I didn't want to read my contract details in the papers. It's become a bit of a laughing stock and it left me in an embarrassing situation, but now it's closed.'

Bruce, who twice led Birmingham out of the Championship, received the advance of £300,000 image rights only if the club was in the Premier League, making it effectively a promotion bonus.

Having been reluctantly allowed to join Wigan due to the uncertainty over his job if Carson Yeung takes over next month, he pointedly thanked fans, players and training ground staff at his press conference on Monday but did not mention either chief executive Karren Brady or owners David Sullivan and David Gold.

Bruce, accused of disloyalty early in his managerial career, was prevented from discussing the Bolton job when Sammy Lee was fired and earlier missed out on the chance to manage home-town club Newcastle.

He said: 'They didn't give Bolton permission. Newcastle came in two-and-a-half years ago. But I'd just signed a new deal and signed four or five players, so I felt my loyalty was towards Birmingham.'

Bruce finds Whelan's £3m outlay on him sobering. He said: 'I think I only cost £1.25m in total as a player. I hope I can do the guy justice.'