Former Manchester City chief exec Gary Cook has jumped back into football.

The Mirror says Cook is set to become Wigan chairman when the Hong Kong group complete their takeover.

The Far East group are in advanced talks over buying the League One leaders from Dave Whelan and want Cook to play a leading role on the new Latics board.

The former Manchester City chief executive, who quit the Etihad in 2011 over an offensive email sent to Nedum Onuoha's cancer-stricken mum, became a non-executive Wigan director last June.

Cook, who has held executive posts with Nike and UFC, is a friend of the Whelan family.

It is also understood the Hong Kong group may bring in Joe Royle's son and sports executive Darren.