SVEN-Goran Eriksson's pride in the progress made at Manchester City has not stemmed reports in Portugal suggesting a bid to bring Luiz Felipe Scolari to Eastlands has gathered pace.

Eriksson was given a remarkable show of support by City fans during the defeat to Liverpool on Sunday but then admitted he did not expect it to make a difference come the end of the season.

City are guaranteed ninth place in the Barclays Premier League and could climb two places at the weekend with a big win at Middlesbrough and if results go their way.

It means an improvement on last season's 14th-placed finish, although owner Thaksin Shinawatra has been tipped to make a change of manager.

According to Portuguese newspaper Record, Scolari has been offered a deal that would significantly improve his current salary as boss of Portugal.

The 59-year-old, who previously claimed he had no knowledge of interest from City, said: "I'll speak about my future after Euro 2008."

Meanwhile, City will receive £350,000 from West Brom after their promotion from the Coca-Cola Championship triggered clauses in the deal that took Ishmael Miller to The Hawthorns in January.