Aston Villa have confrimed they want to interview Alex McLeish "imminently" with a view to him becoming their new manager, according to the BBC.
McLeish quit his post at Villa's city rivals Birmingham City on Sunday.
Villa released a statement on Tuesday evening which said: "The club understands that Alex McLeish is a free agent. We therefore intend to interview him imminently."
Following that announcement, Birmingham immediately struck back with a statement of their own, which claimed Villa were guilty of "tapping up" McLeish.
It read: "Birmingham finds Villa's announcement to proceed with an interview with Alex McLeish a contempt of Premier League and FA rules.
"The club feel this will taint football and give the game and the footballing authorities a bad name if this is allowed to materialise. We will lodge a formal complaint as there is now not the slightest doubt remaining about this tap up attempt.
"This conduct, if condoned, will open up floodgates and set a very bad precedent. It is also an attack against the intelligence and integrity of not only the Villa fans, but most importantly our fans who are badly let down after relegation."
With Villa fans conducting internet campaigns against McLeish becoming Gerard Houllier's successor, Villa also dealt with this issue in their statement.
It continued: "In deciding to interview McLeish, the board has taken his tenure at our local rivals and the strong emotions associated with this very seriously.
"We are determined, still, not to allow that three-and-a-half-year post [at Birmingham] to disqualify him should he be the best candidate for the role of Aston Villa manager," added Villa.
"From the beginning of our search, we have set out criteria based on proven Premier League experience, compelling leadership, an ethic for hard work and, most importantly, sharing our vision for Aston Villa.
"We know that without a shared vision any appointment, however attractive, will ultimately fail.
"We feel it is essential to select a manager who understands and supports our strategy for the club to grow and to be sustainable.
"Otherwise, the natural tensions and competitive pressures that are involved with every season will ultimately cause instability and make continuity impossible."
The Villa job has already been turned down by Wigan manager Roberto Martinez, while Steve McClaren, since appointed at Nottingham Forest, was forced out of the running by an internet campaign against him. Former Fulham boss Mark Hughes has also been linked with the position.
McLeish, who is currently on holiday in Corsica, is set to pursue a case for constructive dismissal against Birmingham.
McLeish quit his post at Villa's city rivals Birmingham City on Sunday.
Villa released a statement on Tuesday evening which said: "The club understands that Alex McLeish is a free agent. We therefore intend to interview him imminently."
Following that announcement, Birmingham immediately struck back with a statement of their own, which claimed Villa were guilty of "tapping up" McLeish.
It read: "Birmingham finds Villa's announcement to proceed with an interview with Alex McLeish a contempt of Premier League and FA rules.
"The club feel this will taint football and give the game and the footballing authorities a bad name if this is allowed to materialise. We will lodge a formal complaint as there is now not the slightest doubt remaining about this tap up attempt.
"This conduct, if condoned, will open up floodgates and set a very bad precedent. It is also an attack against the intelligence and integrity of not only the Villa fans, but most importantly our fans who are badly let down after relegation."
With Villa fans conducting internet campaigns against McLeish becoming Gerard Houllier's successor, Villa also dealt with this issue in their statement.
It continued: "In deciding to interview McLeish, the board has taken his tenure at our local rivals and the strong emotions associated with this very seriously.
"We are determined, still, not to allow that three-and-a-half-year post [at Birmingham] to disqualify him should he be the best candidate for the role of Aston Villa manager," added Villa.
"From the beginning of our search, we have set out criteria based on proven Premier League experience, compelling leadership, an ethic for hard work and, most importantly, sharing our vision for Aston Villa.
"We know that without a shared vision any appointment, however attractive, will ultimately fail.
"We feel it is essential to select a manager who understands and supports our strategy for the club to grow and to be sustainable.
"Otherwise, the natural tensions and competitive pressures that are involved with every season will ultimately cause instability and make continuity impossible."
The Villa job has already been turned down by Wigan manager Roberto Martinez, while Steve McClaren, since appointed at Nottingham Forest, was forced out of the running by an internet campaign against him. Former Fulham boss Mark Hughes has also been linked with the position.
McLeish, who is currently on holiday in Corsica, is set to pursue a case for constructive dismissal against Birmingham.
