THESE have been worrying days for Birmingham City fans.
A run of bad results in the league, the recent defeat by Aston Villa, uncertainty over Carson Yeung's planned takeover and the resignation of manager Steve Bruce to join lowly Wigan had combined to cast dark clouds over the club.
A season that began with promise threatened to implode in a welter of confusion, disenchantment and recrimination.
Unsurprisingly perhaps, Blues fans were quick to criticise the board for what many saw as a lack of commitment and ambition.
Today, though, the clouds have broken and a ray of sunshine is again illuminating St Andrew's.
The appointment of Alex McLeish as manager will not just appease supporters – it will thrill them.
Here is the big name for which Bluenoses yearned after Bruce, respected and highly regarded by most, quit the club he had served faithfully for six years.
Fans will need no reminding of McLeish's recent remarkable achievements with the Scottish national team as they came tantalisingly close to qualification for the European Championships.
He also managed Glasgow Rangers, Motherwell and Hibernian with distinction and had a distinguished career as an Aberdeen player under the guidance, no less, of the great Alex Ferguson.
His uncompromising style and ability to motivate players make him a good fit at Blues, a club that traditionally likes a battle.
The Birmingham Mail welcomes McLeish to the city and wishes him every success as he faces the challenge of kick-starting Blues' stuttering season.
We also applaud Blues' owners for snaring a top man for a tough job.
Let us now hope that the takeover saga will soon be settled and that the new manager will be given the funds he needs to bring in fresh players.
Today could just be the beginning of a brave new dawn at St Andrew's.