Sir Alex Ferguson has been appointed as a coaching ambassador by European football's governing body UEFA.

The former Manchester United manager will be the chairman of a forum of elite coaches that meet each year, and will also be a member of a technical study group of the Champions League and European Championship.

The elite forum sees Europe's top coaches assemble to discuss tactical and technical changes in football.

UEFA President Michel Platini also announced that European U21 Championships will be expanded to 12 teams after the 2015 tournament. The final stages of the biennial championship normally involves eight teams, divided into two groups.