Sky Sports football pundit Iain Dowie has made a shock transfer – and become a mortgage advisor.
The ex-Southampton, West Ham and Crystal Palace striker has signed for a law firm and will specialise in re-mortgages.
After hanging up his boots in 2001 the 55-year-old tried his hand at football management before carving out a TV career and is now a familiar face on Sky’s Soccer Saturday hosted by Jeff Stelling, 65.
Dowie said: "While people may wonder how I’ve gone from the football pitch to the office I have been working within the conveyancing arena for some four years now and when I was asked if I would come on board with them it was a no-brainer.
"I’m a real people person and much of my role will be out on the road meeting potential new partners and clients.
"And while I learned my management skills in the football world everything is transferable - but with less swearing!''
Dowie played more than 400 games during his career before managing clubs including Queens Park Rangers, Crystal Palace and Coventry City.
He has now joined solicitors Alexander Grace Law, in Hapton, Lancs, as business director, leading the re-mortgaging team.
His wife Debbie, 52, works at the company's office in Lytham, near Preston.
"I’ve really got stuck into the new role and can’t wait to get out there and meet some new faces,'' he said.
The company's co-founder James Young, 42, said: "We’re thrilled to have Iain join our team.
"He’s a really great, down-to-earth guy and we’re lucky to have him on board.
"And as a big football fan myself I for one am loving his locker room stories.''
