CITY fans will have to wait until the European Leagues draw to a conclusion before they discover the identity of their new manager.

And that means players like Nick Weaver could also be left in limbo while their new contracts lie on the table.

Weaver, who becomes a Bosman free agent next month, had virtually agreed a new two-year deal with Stuart Pearce before the manager was sacked on Monday.

However, it has not been signed, and now the popular 28-year-old - who played 25 Premiership games this season and kept Sweden No 1 Andreas Isaksson on the bench for much of the time - must wait and see if the agreement is honoured.

Talks were also ongoing with Sylvain Distin and Nedum Onuoha, and were expected to commence with skipper Richard Dunne.

Meanwhile, Thaksin Shinawatra and his close advisors are within touching distance of launching the formal bid that will see them take control of the club from the three major individual shareholders John Wardle, David Makin and Mark Boler.

Domestic

Their first task, possibly even before the formalities of the takeover have taken place, will be to announce the appointment of a successor to Pearce.

It is certain that the new man will be one currently working abroad, but it is understood that he has yet to tell his current club because the domestic season in his country is yet to end.

The manager in question has been described as "one of the best available" by Shinawatra's advisors, and he will have a £50m transfer fund available.

Shinawatra, the former Thailand Prime Minister, and his advisers have taken charge of the appointment process along with Keith Harris, the football finance expert who heads up Seymour Pierce - the company that has been completing due diligence.

Harris watched the recent Manchester derby from the directors' box and was impressed by the support.

Shinawatra's £130m takeover is regarded within Sportcity as inevitable, and for that reason the current directors are unlikely to take an active part in the crowning of the new boss.

Current directors Boler, Dennis Tueart and Bryan Bodek are not expected to be kept on if and when Shinawatra takes control, though there may be an ambassadorial role for Wardle.

It is believed that the new owners will keep much of the present executive administration at the club, including chief executive Alistair Mackintosh.

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