Financial adviser accused of costing Sven-Goran Eriksson £10m is now solar energy boss

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The debt-laden former England football manager died owing £8.6million after alleging, in disputed claim, he had been fleeced by adviser – who now owns a solar energy company promoted by the government

The financial adviser accused of costing Sven-Goran Eriksson £10million is still planning golden futures – as a solar energy boss.

The debt-laden former England football manager died owing £8.6million after claiming he had been fleeced. We can reveal how Samir Khan owns a company showcased on a Department for Business and Trade web directory.

Khan’s Bright Star Energy Group [BSEG] is among firms featured on “GREAT.gov.uk”, launched under the Tory government to help boost British businesses. Mild-mannered Sven once said of Khan, the London-based firm’s director and owner, that he was “probably the only person on earth I hate”.

Approached by the Mirror, Khan confirmed his own name before appearing to deny he had been Sven’s adviser. It came after it emerged this week that the ex-Manchester City manager’s estate inventory submitted to the Swedish tax agency showed he had assets of £4.8million but owed £8.64million. Debts owed to HMRC made up £7.25million, according to Swedish publication Göteborgs-Posten.

We have unearthed details of BSEG’s listing on the government platform, started when Liam Fox was trade secretary in 2016 to help firms “access millions of pounds’ worth of potential overseas business”. The trade hub was also intended to “give practical advice, and signpost support to help them win lucrative contracts”, the government said.

The entry for the company says: “Solar Power is at the core of our clean energy solutions: where solar is not feasible, we offer LPG. Hybrid solutions can also be delivered where appropriate. BSEG offers technologically advanced energy storage systems for any project. Our technical team constantly monitors developments in the marketplace ensuring our solutions remain the leading ones available.”

Meanwhile, the firm’s website boasts it provides “tailored clean energy generation solutions coupled with advanced energy storage”, adding it “works extensively with patent owners & technology partners in the energy storage and renewable energy sectors”.

Sven, who died aged 76 in August after being diagnosed with cancer, reportedly met Khan, 60, in 2004 – handing him control of his affairs in 2007. In 2011, it was reported Sven was suing Khan, with court documents claiming the manager handed over “unlimited access” to his wealth to the adviser.

Sven alleged Khan blew it on dodgy investments, property and artworks, it was reported. But Khan dismissed the allegations as “nonsense”. Sven’s damages claim ended when Khan was made bankrupt. However, he wanted Khan “banged up” for breaching a court order made during litigation.

But he abandoned his attempt to have Khan imprisoned for contempt after being given an apology at the High Court in 2013. In a statement, Khan told judge Mr Justice Peter that he acknowledged breaching it and apologised. Sven’s claim against Khan, which the adviser disputed, ended when the latter was made bankrupt earlier in the year, the judge was told.

But Sven said Khan was still in breach of a money-freezing order made during that litigation three years earlier. Sven said Khan had wrongly spent over £80,000 in breach of the order and was in contempt. The judge said he had sympathy for the football coach. “He has clearly lost a lot of money,” he said. “It’s his case he’s been seriously defrauded. He is no doubt angry.” However, the judge said proceedings had concluded in a “sensible” fashion.

In 2013, Sven told the Telegraph: “You know, I never hate anyone in my life. I don’t think I have many enemies but I hate Samir Khan because you can’t treat people like he has done. He’s probably the only person on earth I hate. I feel let down, angry and disappointed because I trusted this man for many, many years. I gave him too much freedom.”

Approached at his Warwickshire countryside pile, the adviser confirmed he was Samir Khan. But when asked about the energy firm, he said: “You’ve got the wrong one…the wrong person.” Questioned if he had previously been involved with Eriksson, before closing the door he replied: “No, wrong one.” Khan, whose BSEG firm was incorporated in 2017, later emailed the Mirror saying: “I have no comment.”

A Government Spokesperson said: “The Government is not promoting Bright Star Energy Group. This directory of thousands of businesses is open to any business registered with Companies House.”

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