Alan Sugar draws up blueprint to save English football

The programme will be aired this spring (PA)

Former Tottenham chairman Lord Sugar has drawn up a business blueprint to save English football.

The Apprentice star will unveil the five-point plan in a new BBC2 documentary.

He said: "For the good of the game - a game that entertains so many people - a game that people look forward to, that's part of their lives, there needs to be some very, very big actions taken. Football needs a dose of hard business reality."

Lord Sugar, who ran the north London club between 1991 and 2001, interviews fellow Apprentice star Karren Brady during the 60-minute film.

Brady, who was managing director of Birmingham from 1993 to 2009, is currently vice chairman at West Ham.

He also speaks to Spurs manager Harry Redknapp, Wigan chairman Dave Whelan and Uefa president Michel Platini.

The show's commissioning editor Martin Davidson said it shows an industry "struggling to make ends meet" despite huge financial rewards available at the top.

He said: "It's a fascinating business model to explore and I'm very excited that Lord Sugar will be offering BBC2 viewers his expert business analysis - and I look forward to seeing what surprises he has in store for us."

The show, called Lord Sugar Tackles Football, will be shown this spring.