BANGKOK, Nov 16 (AFP): Thaksin Shinawatra Friday revealed plans to make Manchester City a global power, starting with academies in Thailand and China and link-ups with a host of clubs around the world.
The English Premier League highflyers also announced the signing of three Thai internationals while handing trials to a trio of Chinese players.
The ousted Thai prime minister, who bought the Premier League side in July for 162.6 million dollars, admits success in Asia is key to his dreams of making the Blues a world football success story.
City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson has been in Asia this week at Thaksin's request and announced academies in China and Thailand and partnership agreements with a numbers of clubs.
They include China's Shanghai Shenhua, Thailand's Chonburi FC, Australian A-league outfit Perth Glory, Grasshoppers Club Zurich of Switzerland, Thanda Royal Zulu FC of Durban, and FC Moscow.
The clubs will liase in coaching exchanges and youth tournaments, as well as strengthening commercial and marketing opportunities and initiatives.
It will enable City to tap into foreign talent while building the Manchester City "brand" around the world.
"I want young players from all around the world, and particularly young Asian players, to aspire to play for Manchester City, and to develop the structures and means for them to do so," said Thaksin.
Eriksson and Thaksin said that Thai fullback Suree Sukha, centreback Kiatpravut Saiwaew and striker Thirasilp Dangda were snapped up as part of their effort to promote Asian football.
Thaksin targets Asia to make Man City global power
FE Team | Published: November 17, 2007 00:00:00 | Updated: February 01, 2018 00:00:00
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