Birmingham backer won't meddle in team affairs, insists Gold

The Hong Kong billionaire acquired a 29.9% stake in Blues last month, with the prospect he will take over the club at some stage in the future.

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However, there are claims Yeung likes to have a say in how matters are run on the pitch amid reports he became involved in team matters at Hong Kong Rangers, where he used to be chairman.

City boss Steve Bruce has already indicated he would probably quit if Yeung were to do something similar at St Andrews.

Yet Gold said: "From all the indications and meetings I've had with him, I believe he will work very well with the existing regime at the club.

"Mr Yeung would be fully aware that interference in clubs is not taken too kindly in the Premier League."

Gold believes Yeung, whose wealth apparently matches that of the Glazer family who own Manchester United, will be "a great asset" to the club, even if it means he is one day forced out.

"He and his companies are in the super-wealthy league," remarked Gold on BBC Radio 5 Live's Sportsweek programme.

"There's no doubt that wealth plays a big part in the future of your football club, and the more wealth you can bring in, the greater the likelihood that you will be a successful club.

"If you want to challenge the very best in the Premier League, you need all the funds you can bring together, and Carson Yeung will be a great asset to us.

"And yes, I am sad if that will ultimately mean I'm no longer with the club.

"At present he has 29.9 per cent of the shares, the Golds and David Sullivan collectively have 50 per cent, so in effect we remain in control.

"We will wait to see whether Carson Yeung carries on and fulfils his requirement for buying the rest of the club.

"Purely from a personal point of view I really don't mind either way what happens.

"But I would like to remain at the club in some way because it is in my blood.

"I am currently the chairman, but most of all I am a fan, so I'd like to retain that connection in some way."

Gold insists the club have conducted their own background checks on Yeung and that he is a fit and proper person to run City.

It is in contrast to former Thailand prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, now in control of Manchester City, whose human rights record continues to be the subject of intense debate.

There was a long pause when Gold was asked whether he would have sold to Shinawatra before replying: "I have my doubts, purely on a personal point of view.

"I haven't done a thorough investigation on him like I have with Mr Yeung, and on him I feel very comfortable the club is going into safe hands if the deal ultimately goes ahead."

But when questioned whether the Premier League test was sharp enough, Gold added: "I'm not sure."

Should Gold be ousted he has confirmed he will remain in football, although whether that would be another Premiership club, or more likely a cheaper Championship team, remains to be seen.

But he added: "It (football) gives me something, an adrenaline rush, that no other business has ever given me.

"If I end up leaving Birmingham City there's a possibility I would end up moving to the south and see if there's a club looking for a young chairman to join them.

"I'm not saying who. That would be inappropriate because my whole life revolves around the success of Birmingham City Football Club."