5 managers who betrayed their club

#4: Alex McLeish

McLeish angered the Birmingham fans after joining rivals Aston Villa.

Birmingham City was the first Premier League club that Alex McLeish would manage in his career. The Scot assumed the reigns of the club in 2007 and helped them achieve great heights in his four-year spell with them.

With McLeish in charge, Birmingham City managed an unbeaten run of 13 games in the 2009-10 season, their best ever run in the top flight. He was the first Birmingham coach to win the Manager of the Month award, receiving the award in December 2009. Also, by the end of that season, McLeish secured 9th place for his club. It was the highest position Birmingham had ever finished at in the Premier League.

But, good times were short-lived in the next season. Although Birmingham were relegated to the lower division, the club were intent on continuing with McLeish in the hot seat. But, McLeish decided to part ways with them, only to sign with rivals Aston Villa just five days after leaving Birmingham in June 2011.

The move greatly angered his former club who tried to sue him under the accusation of breach of contract. To add to McLeish's woes, even the Aston Villa fans seemed to be unhappy with his appointment. They protested hard against the Scot's appointment leading to an unrest at Villa Park.

McLeish, however, failed to replicate his success at Aston Villa. The club finished at 16th position clinging just two points above the relegation zone. McLeish was sacked in May after just one season. Quite the news for Birmingham fans to cheer about!