Alex McLeish is ready to turn the screw on Birmingham City by taking some of his former Blues players with him to Aston Villa.
The Mirror says McLeish reckons he walked as his position had become untenable due to interference and thinks he has a case for constructive dismissal.
He has told pals he remains up for the challenge of reviving Villa and has identified keeper Ben Foster and midfielder Barry Ferguson to potentially make the switch from Brum to Villa as well.
McLeish believes he can handle the controversy surrounding his proposed defection after surviving in Glasgow.
'Big Eck' successfully bossed Rangers from 2001-2006 despite a lukewarm reception on his arrival from Hibernian.
He could expect a huge pay-rise at Villa Park to around £2.5m a year after his salary halved to £800,000 at Brum following relegation.
Foster and Ferguson are two senior Brum stars up for joining him in the switch as City must balance their books.
