Birmingham City have confirmed that Alex McLeish has resigned as their manager, in an email sent to the acting chairman, Peter Pannu. Birmingham declined to make further comment on Sunday afternoon.

McLeish received the public backing of the Birmingham board after the club's final-day relegation from the Premier League last month, on the condition that he achieved promotion at the first attempt. The former Rangers manager has decided to leave St Andrew's of his own accord, amid growing speculation that he is preparing to make a short journey across the city to take control of Aston Villa.

The Scot took over at Birmingham in 2007 and was unable to save the club from relegation at the end of the season. The Blues made an immediate return to the Premier League and had a 12-game unbeaten run during 2009-10, a club record in the top division. McLeish then took the club to what he called "his greatest achievement" in February this year, when they beat Arsenal 2-1 at Wembley to win the Carling Cup. A poor run of league form then resulted in the Blues' relegation.