Bloomberg reported that Mr Viktor Zubkov first deputy PM of Russia was introduced to British business leaders as Gazprom's next chairman by Mr Alexei Miller CEO of Gazprom.

Mr Sergei Kupriyanov spokesman of Gazprom in a text message confirming an earlier report by The Wall Street Journal said Mr Zubkov and Mr Miller were in Manchester to watch Zenit St Petersburg which Gazprom sponsors beat Glasgow Rangers to win the UEFA Cup recently.

Gazprom shareholders led by the government will choose a new board next month.