She may have been fired from The Apprentice but  runner-up Claire Young appears to be doing just fine without Sir Alan Sugar.

Just weeks after being pipped to the job by  Lee McQueen, the 28-year-old has secured a plum post with Birmingham City boss Karren Brady.

Not only that, her sales role will actually have a bigger salary than than the cool £100,000-a-year position she missed out on at the end of the TV show.

Karren Brady, managing director of Birmingham City Football Club, has offered Apprentice finalist Claire Young a job, paying more than Sir Alan's winner

Tough cookie Claire, who had to make a huge effort to restrain her wayward tongue, obviously impressed Miss Brady, who was appointed to the board of Birmingham City when she was just 23.

Finalist Alex Wotherspoon has been approached by a modeling agency and fashion houses

One of a panel of interviewers who took part in the programme, the 39-year-old managing director told Sir Alan, 'If you don't hire Claire, I will'.

She added: 'I like Claire's confidence. She's a go-getter.'

The one-time holiday resort rep was also thrilled.

'It's a great role,' she said.

Nor is Claire the only runner-up to come out on top.

Fellow runner-up and one-time rival Alex Wotherspoon is already working for Sir Alan's computer firm - and has now got a job as a model.

The 25-year-old has been approached by Models1, who represent supermodel du jour Agyness Dean as well as Yasmin Le Bon.

Companies including upmarket fashion chain Aquascutum and menswear brand Hackett are reportedly desperate to have him work for them.

'Alex might turn out to be the real winner of The Apprentice. Companies have been falling over themselves to snap him up.

'He is weighing his options,' a source told The Sunday Mirror.

The winner: But has Lee McQueen, seen here with Sir Alan really got the top job