Yeung set to seal Birmingham takeover inside two months

LONDON, Aug 18 (Reuters) Hong Kong businessman Carson Yeung is expecting to complete his takeover of Premier League Birmingham City within two months.

''I hope I can take control immediately, in a couple of months maybe,'' Yeung told British newspapers today. ''I will try to make Birmingham the best club in the world.

''We will set up 10 football schools in China and, after five years, Birmingham would benefit by getting the best players.'' Last month, the 47-year-old Yeung became the club's biggest shareholder when he acquired a 30 per cent stake through investment firm Grandtop for 30.79 million dollars.

He said that he would keep Steve Bruce as coach and Karren Brady as managing director.

''The reason I am buying this club is I am happy with the management,'' said Yeung.

''Karren and Steve are very good. I am a businessman, not a club operator. If good operators already exist, why change?''.

REUTERS BJR VV0942