McManaman set for Blues role?

Updated 11.00 Wed Jul 04 2007

Keywords: Steve McManaman, football, sport, Birmingham City

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

The 35-year-old former England, Liverpool and Real Madrid winger will take on a role of executive director with Grandtop International to offer advice after they take up their 29.9 per cent stake in the Premier League newcomers.

"They know my expertise in sport in England and in particular football. I know a lot of people in the sport and I have a lot of contacts" - Steve McManaman

Last week Blues directors David and Ralph Gold, David Sullivan, Karren Brady and Roger Bannister agreed to sell shares worth around £16 million to the company owned by Hong Kong businessman Carson Yeung.

And McManaman has been quoted as saying: "They know my expertise in sport in England and in particular football. 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."

Reports claim that McManaman, who has been out of football since retiring in 2005 after a stint at Manchester City, helped Yeung set up the deal to become Birmingham's biggest shareholder.