Eriksson hints end is near

May 09, 2008

Sven-Goran Eriksson

SVEN-GORAN Eriksson has admitted for the first time "it is a possibility" he could leave Manchester City.

The former England boss expects his future to be clarified by owner Thasksin Shinawatra after the Barclays Premier League final fixture at Middlesbrough.

However it is widely believed this will be the Swede's last game in charge, with Benfica waiting in the wings.

On the prospect of leaving the club, Eriksson said: "It is a possibility, of course it is.

"It is not a secret to anyone in the world of football. But we will see, nothing is confirmed.

"Let's play the last game and have a little bit of patience. The fact is we will probably know next week."

Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin is unhappy at the club’s apparent lack of progress, yet City could still make it in Europe next season after all through the Fair Play League.

UEFA have confirmed England as the winners and Eriksson’s side are now favourites to progress after the final round of games as the highest placed team who have not already qualified for Europe.

Eriksson could be heading for Portugal by then and a third spell at Benfica.

Realistic

Club spokesman Ricardo Maia said: “More details about our future coach will be announced next week, when the Portuguese and Premier league finish.

“At the moment our coach vacancy has been centred on Eriksson and we will not reveal other names.”

A UEFA Cup spot would be as good as it gets for City at the moment, according to Eriksson.

He believes the big four are out of reach and said: “In our case it is not realistic we should qualify for the Champions League.

“We are good but not that good. We do not have a squad up to the standard of Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea or Manchester United.

“Everyone who knows a little bit about football will agree to that.

“If you are being realistic I think where we are is where we deserve to be after one year.”

Eriksson scoffed at suggestions he was disillusioned with football because of the confusion at City.

He said: “Football is great and life is great. The reason I accepted this job was that this is a big Premier League club.

“I like the club, I like the players we have, I like the project. But that’s it.

“The players are working hard as we want to finish with a good game against Middlesbrough.”

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LEE BRADBURY CITY RUINED MY LIFE (09/05/2008 at 15:20)

as for him leading us in to europe we would probably go out first round to a gang of scaffolders from Lithuainia ?

Carl Jones (09/05/2008 at 15:21)

Quieroz is going to Benfica. It suits both Sven and the Benfica people he knows well through his spells there to let the world think that Sven is in the pipeline.

Judas, Ladbroke Grove, London (09/05/2008 at 15:25)

Imagine if Sven goes and Big Phil turns us down. That would be just desserts for Dr No.

DJ, Chorlton (09/05/2008 at 15:33)

I was warming to Sven's attitude of "that's life" until the end when he blew it with this comment: "The reason I accepted this job was that this is a big Premier League club."

Sorry Sven but weeks before that you denied wanting the City job because we weren't a big enough club. The reason you took the job was the money, both in terms of salary and in terms of transfer kitty.

Njinsky Blue, Spain (09/05/2008 at 15:51)

I have not bothered to come on the site for weeks as it seems little point in trying to say anything logical about pure speculation. I´ve read a few of the hundreds of comments and the conclusion you draw, is that no matter which side of the fence you sit on as regards Sven and Thaksin, the true City fans do really care and whichever way the decision goes, one camp is going to be upset but at the end of the day will still come out singing "Blue Moon". For my own part, I am a little disullusioned with football generally as I think the hype caused by over investment in the game has not been for the better. Players seem to think cheating is now an everyday right- have you ever seen a throw in taken where the ball went out of play? The answer is no because they have always got to pinch a yard and it is the same with free kicks. Feigned injuries are the worst thing (Drogba is the obvious example but he is not alone) as well as the diving (a la Ronaldo but again he is not the only one). There is little or no respect for referess from both players and officials and the root of all these problems is money and the greed that it has created. I have to say that Sven in this respect can hold his head high although that does not make him the best manager but do we really beieve that there is someone better.
That´s the philosophical view out of the way. I just hope that whatever decision is made will be for the benefit of our beloved Blues because I would hate to think that we are back into short term fixes because that is a recipe for disaster.

Bluereed (09/05/2008 at 16:01)

He's gone nailed on,i for one will be sorry to see him go having said that the people on here that can't wait to see the back of him will be eating humble pie when the next manager is revealed,the age old saying "you didn't realise what you had untill it's gone.

Over the blue moon., perth wa (09/05/2008 at 16:10)

there was a man named sven who went to manage in the prem he started of well then it all turned to hell.TO BE CONTINUED.......

Ol' Blue Eyes (09/05/2008 at 16:41)

Well said Njinsky Blue, Spain 09/05/2008 at 15:51 - need we say anymore!

The Right to Reply (09/05/2008 at 16:44)

Nice man, poor manager,he will always be a Mr Average. Leadership starts at the top and works through, he will always be a diplomat, a nice man.But City need a Jose or Big Phil. Or even a Big Sam!! While Fergie is at United, and Chelsea have the cheque book, they will always be top 2.love it or hate it City fans, its a fact. Fergie may wind down bit by bit if United win the double, but then who? So you never know...it could be City!! with the right man, a cheque book, poor officials & decisions and a bit of luck!! keep rubbing that lamp.

Harry Skinters (09/05/2008 at 16:45)

SAVE OUR SVEN!

Bert is my hero (09/05/2008 at 16:45)

Nijinsky Blue, Spain - Very good post. A voice of reason and moderation in a sea of confusion and insanity.

Strongbow Kid (09/05/2008 at 16:54)

In other news, William Gladstone has been re-elected Prime Minister...

PhilB65, City Forever (09/05/2008 at 17:07)

Hope he stays to continue the progress, but that will need investment.

Lavinda Past, Sunny Norfolk (09/05/2008 at 17:09)

How come I've had lots of "anti Sven" comments omitted or edited when Svennites like Bluereed seems to have no problem getting their sycophantic nonsense on the page?
Sven's a master manipulator - he's never had any intention of basing himself with any 'permanency' in or near Manchester.
He's no better than Pearce was - look at his record since Christmas! He flattered to deceive at first but his Indian Summer didn't last very long.
Thaksin sussed him out and gave him some form of ultimatum - not the sack. The sack story was put about by Tord Grip, no doubt on behalf of Sven, who HAS to retain his 'decent man' image - His signings on the whole have been little more than disappointing (Caicedo anybody? Anybody? Please???) and our form over the past few months has been abysmal. Other than six points off the rags, what have we really got to thank him for? He certainly lacks credibility in my eyes when it comes to football.

And a final final final point - Anyone who seeks to compare Sven favourably with Joe Mercer, can't have been around in the sixties. Joe was a TRUE man of the people, a TRUE City legend. SGE isn't fit to lace his boots.

nick lawless,caterham,surrey,(Blackley born and bred), caterham (09/05/2008 at 17:21)

Just go Sven...yes there are still a few of The bleeding Heart brigade who hang on to your every word...Truth is you planned this all with meticulous precision...Bom tarde,as they say down Benfica way...just dont forget to take Vassell and the setting Sun with you..

OB1, Transmancunia (09/05/2008 at 17:28)

DJ,

Where did Sven say he didn't want the City job? A lot of fuss was made about his commnets on to Gabby on Inside Sport but they were misrepresented in my opinion, having seen interview.

Sven told the players again this week that he is off. The players are unanimously against Sven going and several are still talking about refusing to go to Asia on tour. Which all makes me even more convinced that Sven should be retained this summer.

Wezo_mcfc, Manchester (09/05/2008 at 18:45)

Dont go sven

Hayman of Rugby, Long Lawford (09/05/2008 at 19:00)

The dignity Sven showed at the Press Conference has to be admired... no matter the view any of us have of him.
By comparison our Board and owner appear like cowards afraid to talk.
There was an air of resignation about Sven especially when he said he would tell it all when he could.He may well have quite a story to tell about Dr T and events at City should he leave.
It also appears that as he is now talking about knowing next week he is calling for a showdown as it would seem ludicrous to be asked to go on a Far Eastern tour when he has been or about to be sacked.
Hopefully it will all become clearer next week and if Sven is sacked for definite then DR T will have "shot himself in the foot".
Dr T is not the man and character we believed him to be and he will have to act swiftly and decisively to sort this out to restore any respect some of us had for him.

tru blu, Taplow Bucks (09/05/2008 at 19:47)

WHAT DOES 'SACK' MEAN IN

THAIWANESE ?

TRU BLU

one paul moulden, croston (10/05/2008 at 02:03)

please sven if you read this we all love you DONT leave frank does not have a clue but hopefully he will see sense and back you(which he should if he has any marbles) and we can progress even more next season. FRANK IF YOU ARE READIING THIS IVE BEEN SUPPORTING CITY FOR 28 YEARS BELIEVE ME I KNOW WE ARE ONTO A WINNER WITH OLD BLUE EYES. PLEASE FRANK KEEP SSSSVVVVEEEENNNN!!!!!!!!

Blue Thai (10/05/2008 at 09:47)

Unbelieveable that we nicknamed Thakskin "Frank Sinatra" and Sven is singing "and now the end is near and Sunday they raise the final curtain, I did what I had to do now my future is so uncertain".... something like that anyway.

blue moon risin [Are we still risin' ?]. I hope so. (10/05/2008 at 10:07)

The way sven has 'apparently' been treated by thaksin is a disgrace if true?. I also feel if he goes then we're back to square one. Yes, sven has made a few mistakes in his signings, team selection,substitutions etc, and infuriated us by not trying 4-4-2.
I still feel though he can turn us in to a force to be reckond with.
Of all the managers we've had for many a year i fealt sven is THE MAINE MAN to take us to the promised land.
Everyone has an opinion and i will be sorry to see him go.
Good luck sven.

BLUE4LIFE-A-U-L, A-U-L (10/05/2008 at 10:21)

still think svens help create this situation hes got a job waitig in sunnier climes hes just trying to get a big pay off to take with him more disapionted with sven than frank you all must see this take the blinkers off look at whats goin on and whats being said!frank sowed the seed and svens jumped on it

Jesper, Copenhagen (10/05/2008 at 10:34)

Well I guess its always possible that a manager can leave a club, especially in the current situation at the club, so nothing new here. Am I the only one who thinks that Thaksin should forget about Scolari and try to lure Frank Rijkaard to the club? Much better choice imo and he's available.

Frank Gallagher, Gorton (10/05/2008 at 10:40)

lee bradbury is such a muppet, always negative comments, i cant wait to play in europe, whoever it is i'll be there so will 5000 other blues havin a drink a drink a drink to colin the king the king the king!!!

Please dont go sven, you're the man to take us into europe, everyone get dowm to the ground today for the protest

we dont need no phil scolari, we dont need mourinio, oi thaskin leave our sven alone!!!!!

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