McManaman set for Birmingham role

McManaman retired as a player in 2005

Former England winger Steve McManaman has been appointed to the board of the company buying into Birmingham City.

The 35-year-old will become an executive director with Grandtop International if it takes up its deal to buy a 29.2% stake in the club.

McManaman will offer advice to the group, which is owned by Hong Kong businessman Carson Yeung.

"They know my expertise in sport in England and in particular football," he told the South China Morning Post.

"I know a lot of people in the sport and I have a lot of contacts.

"I will help out and give ideas as a friend as the people involved in the company are very good friends of mine and hopefully we can have exciting times in the future."

McManaman played for Liverpool, Real Madrid and Manchester City and won 29 England caps before retiring in 2005.

He is reported to have helped Yeung set up his deal with Birmingham.

Directors David and Ralph Gold as well as David Sullivan have each agreed to sell 14.81% of the club's shares to Yeung.

Karren Brady has agreed to part with a 0.23% stake, with fellow director Roger Bannister completing the agreement, by offering to sell 0.05%.

The arrangement makes Yeung the largest individual shareholder, but does not put him in total control of the club.

Sullivan and the Golds will still maintain a major role, though the door is open for Yeung to gain a controlling interest.

In the new arrangement the stakes of the Gold brothers and Sullivan fall to 23.22% each.