IT has been said many times that Manchester City are the soap opera of English football but even scriptwriters would struggle with the plot lines that currently cling so enthusiastically to the Blues.

Even the most fertile of fabricators could not make up half the things that have gone on at Eastlands over the last ten days.

Unpredictable millionaires, an ousted former ruler of a country, private jets, exotic locations, whispering agents, musical anthems and a simmering revolt by the natives have lent the air of a big budget production.

For those who have not been following, or who have been lost en route, here is a snapshot of what's been happening on location.

Encounter

First, owner Thaksin Shinawatra and Sven-Goran Eriksson have a less than fruitful meeting in Manchester after the Fulham loss. They even find it hard to agree on an agenda and the Swede leaves the brief encounter unsure about his long-term prospects as leading man.

Next day the manager tells his team things have not gone well and that he cannot guarantee his future.

Almost at the same time Shinawatra's aides are letting it be known through agents that Big Phil Scolari is the man they want to replace Sven whose own representative Athole Still is busy telling anyone who will listen that his client is unlikely to be at City next season.

Meanwhile the players, clearly on the side of the manager, offer to sign a letter of protest about Eriksson's treatment. They even contemplate mutiny.

Cue hysteria amongst the populous who, quite rightly, are fed up at their cherished club being dragged through the mire and nonplussed as to why anyone should want to sack Sven who has captured their hearts, won respect (and two derbies) and carried out the first part of the big boss's original three-year plan.

Two attempts at demonstrations fall flat but the supporters gathered at the penultimate fixture at Liverpool make it clear that they want Sven to stay.

Many carry banners, wear T-shirts and Eriksson masks to make their point. `We don't want no Phil Scolari, We don't want no Mourinho, Hey Thaksin, leave our Sven Alone!' becomes the new club anthem temporarily ousting `Blue Moon' and `We're Not really Here' atop the charts.

Iceman Eriksson admits to his `blood running cold (sic)' with pleasure at the sound and sights of the backing and he spends an uncommonly long time in the technical area at Anfield clapping and waving. For a supposedly condemned man he seems hale and hearty.

Trusted

This touching scene between manager and supporters is witnessed by Shinawatra's most trusted colleagues who report back to the owner.

Suddenly stories abound in Portugal that Scolari has been offered a king's ransom to take over at City but the Brazilian is aware that a quick decision, or an agreement in principle, before the Euro 2008 championships might not be to his advantage.

Having weighed up a fat salary - in the region of £3m - against the fact that City fans are unlikely to welcome him with open arms and that he would, in all probability, be sacked if he doesn't finish in the top six with a squad loyal to Eriksson, Scolari decides to hedge his bets, let it be known he is on the market and presumably crosses his fingers that an alternative comes along.

Meanwhile in Thailand, Shinawatra the master of politics seems to be wavering a little. There is even the sniff of an unlikely U-turn in the air.

Ten days after his initial meeting with Eriksson he speaks on the record for the first time on the subject and correctly points out that, no matter what has been written or whispered on the matter by anyone else, he has not publicly stated that Sven has been sacked.

Shinawatra even proclaims the Swede a great coach - along with Scolari and Mourinho (has he heard the song?).

Even as those public words were leaving his lips, officials from Benfica were loading themselves and expensive fuel on to a private jet and heading for Manchester in an attempt to persuade Eriksson that he doesn't need the aggravation of a fight with Shinawatra and that his future lies with them.

Eriksson is non-committal at the meeting and goes on to enjoy an end-of- season evening with his players. He insists the time to discuss his future is not until after the final game of the season.

Meanwhile, fans still agitated by the potential loss of Eriksson, continue with plans to make Shinawatra to take notice of their wishes.

They plan a march tomorrow (2.30pm) that will lead them from Eastlands car park one to the front door of the stadium where they will deliver a petition containing more than 20,000 names backing Eriksson.

Shinawatra is sure to be advised of the strength of the demonstration and a huge turn-out could yet lead him towards the conclusion that if he sacks Eriksson he may never again regain the hearts and minds of the City supporters.

In that eventuality, of course, the ball would be firmly in Sven's court.

You couldn't make it up and there are bound to be more twists and turns. The smart money is on an Eriksson exit but the plot only lacks a smouldering Mata Hari - anyone got Nancy's number?

Please sort it out - quickly!