The former Eastlands boss admitted he had been touched by the support given to him during his nine months in charge of the club, especially after thousands of them backed the MEN's Save Sven campaign.
He said he would miss them and always think fondly of his time in Manchester.
"They are the best and most loyal fans any club or manager could have," he said.
"I was touched by their backing and the way they applauded the side after we lost so badly at Middlesbrough was extraordinary. I have never seen anything like that before.
"I promise I will never forget the backing they gave me. I will miss them and the city, I always felt at home in Manchester."
"But that is football and that is life and we have to move on. I wish everyone good luck."
Eriksson, who received six months pay - around £1m in compensation - has a possible offer on the table to manage the Mexican national team but is also wanted by a couple of unnamed clubs sides in Europe.
Virtues
Hughes, meanwhile, is now the clear first choice for Thaksin Shinawatra after City vice-chairman John Wardle and chief executive Alistair Mackintosh extolled the virtues of the Blackburn boss to the owner.
The Blues' board had 44-year-old Hughes on their shortlist for the managerial vacancy last summer before Shinawatra took over and appointed Eriksson. They are hopeful that if all goes well a quick deal could be done with Blackburn - who will receive compensation for the two years left on Hughes' contract.
Our MEN poll shows 74 per cent of our users agreed Hughes would be the right man to take over the reins.
However, there is still the possibility that Hughes could be swayed by an offer from Chelsea. If that happens City will look abroad with sacked Inter boss Roberto Mancini in the reckoning along with Brazilian Zico who is due to leave Fenerbahce in the next month and former Chelsea chief Avram Grant.
Eriksson's assistant manager Hans Backe and his long time friend and coach Tord Grip are also set to leave Eastlands.
Bookmakers are now so sure that Hughes would become City's 26th post-war manager that they have stopped taking bets.
And Dave Wallace, editor of the respected King of the Kippax fanzine doesn't feel the Eastlands fans will mind that Hughes played for United.
"I don't think most people will have a problem with it," he said.
What do you think? Have your say.
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I hope franks vision has become much clearer to all the doubters. Over the next few weeks were going to see some pretty sensational signings arriving at COMS. I said the other day Gary Cook was going to prove to be a great acquisition to our club. already most the tabloids are taking notice, frank is deadly serious about where he wants our club to be, he is a man who knows what he wants and how to get it, should ensure the rest of the premiership stand up and take notice of us because we will soon be major players, the top 4 will soon be a top 5 better stick another chair at the table and make a bit more room for us.
Frank wants our stadium full and he knows how to do it.
As for the frank has got no money brigade now time to go and do one you muppets.
Some things are worth waiting for
There will soon be huge queues at the season ticket office.
The souvenir shop will be running out of letters to print on kids(and adults) replica shirts.
Sven who ??????????
Why is he leaving FAZ behind? Does he hide in a cupboard?
Don't boast yet! Your vision won't happen if Hughes goes to Chelsea and we get Big Sam or McLaren! We'll be back to looking idiots and everybodies poor relations as usual
& Thanks for the huge pay off, no doubt.
Seems to be a very crude man in getting a bloody good pay off after his 2 stints within English football.
Just need Hughes to be announced as manager and a few good early signings then it will be a good summer to look forward to.
Thanks for the mamories morelike.
se hughes is on the chelsea shortlist.
lets see if he still goes to city... or was it a way of getting his dream move to chelsea...
if we are for a top 4-5 spot then show us the hard cash mr. thaksin! talk is cheap...i just dont believe that we will spend, not for one second!
THANKS SVEN. THE KING IS DEAD LONG LIVE THE KING.
Thank you Sven your comments about us "we are the best and most loyal fans any manager could have" is much appreciated. All the best for the future. City fans get ready for excitement, Ronaldinho may be menitioned, but Jo Alves is the one, he is sensational, believe me.
Thanks Sven loved the first half of the season shame about the second. I want Deschamps but would settle for Sparky!
What Managers have moved and brought with them their star players? Can you see what I am getting at, Santa Cruz, Bentley and perhaps Pederson?
Thaksin 800M will be released later this year hopefully, however he has plenty around the world. Forbes magazine had him at a conservative 700M outside Thailand.
why does self styled "King of the Kippax" Dave Wallace gets wheeled out every time we are in the news? is it toput his customary negative view on things?
Cant we find anyone else? How about Fred Eyre? He usually positive and upbeat about things. hahahaha.
A jump's a jump, isn't it, Sven? Even the ugly ones. They're sometimes better, 'cos they're more grateful. Even shove some money in your back pocket as you slip away, still telling them they're beautiful. Bravo, maestro, what style!
Cheers Sven and good luck.
Whats the definition of Boredom?
Having a pint with Ted Knott and Lee Bradbury!
I'm that excited I can't stand up!!!.
Beware of the press, they are not going to like it, they will stir up some bad news from somewhere by way of ill founded, poor researched rubbish to try and knock the club. The fact is, Lee Bradbury is right, big things are happening boys and girls. The right people in the right place are starting to arrive and take control of things. For those doubters, take your season tickets back, somebody else will take it off your hands. I for one cannot wait till July/August, in fact I cannot wait for next week when a couple of signings should be confirmed. The futures bright, the futures City.
Looks like you have your choice Mr Bradbury. Can we therefore rely on some positive comments on here this year? Hughes will still have a job to take the team to a higher finish than this year. He needs time to assemble a team. And the two signings being linked - Jo and Ronaldinho are not his targets. They are part of the global branding ploy - can that be accomplished?
Who Knows?
Just remember that even the best managers have become rubbish at City. If Hughes or whoever loses a few on the trot on the odd signing fails to settle it is not the end of the world.
But what if he goes to united in two years?
Thanks for everything Sven, you're a gentlemen, and we will always remember you for cooly bringy respect and credibility back to our beloved club !!!
Mark has a lot to live up to, least of all repeating the double over United.
If he can achieve that..we'll love him too !!!
Come on you blues !!!!!!
Thanks for the memories Sven. Some of the best I have experienced for many a year. What a great day out at Chelsea as we shipped 6. A fabulous end of homes season party conceding 3 goals in 20 minutes to dead men walking Fulham. Then there was that amazing day at Middlesboro where we enjoyed watching us concede 8 goals against a bottom half team that hadnt scored more than 2 goals in any game all season. And the sleep enducing style of football, thanks for everything. Now you are off to Mexico it might be worthwhile thinking about what tactics you will use when your team gets found out - and maybe even think about playing 2 strikers sometime. Cheerio
Hughes is already telling Chelsea they have 48 hours.
This shows two things - he believes he can manage a top club and if one comes in he will be off.
I will be suprised if Abramovich takes Hughes as Chelsea have the clout to get more proven managers, but don't take anything for granted in this game.
I will not be praising any X Rag until i know he is with City, then i'll give him my full support.
LEE BRADBURY CITY RUINED MY LIFE
You really have got a head full of MAGIC!!!
"I was touched by their backing and the way they applauded the side after we lost so badly at Middlesbrough was extraordinary. I have never seen anything like that before''.
I bet he hasn't. We played miserably since January, apart from the derby the players gave up, we lost 8-1 to Middlesborough of all people and still many fans applaud the team.
The players must be wetting themselves. You can let eight in and still you get clapped off. Why bust a gut to try and win when you can stroll about, lose, still pick up £40k per week and be idolised?
Why has this club underachieved no matter the manager, chairman, owner, players etc. What is the constant? It's you and I, the fans. We'll accept anything like lemmings.
I am quite annoyed at M.E.N. this is the only news source that is trying to portray the idea that most City fans are happy to have Mark Hughes as manager. This is not the case if you read any other news site it is quite clear that City fans feel it is a step backwards appointing Mark Hughes as manager. Mark Hughes is a good manager for a mediocre club with little or no funds, but his record is not in the same league as Sven. Thaksin has promised big names, but because of his lack of understanding of football and very poor treatment of Sven I do not believe that any big named manager would come anywhere near City. I feel sorry for whoever will be the next manager as they will get the same treatment as Sven if we do not qualify for the Champions League and win a Cup.
I hope your right,Lee. On the off chance you are not, any chance you could lend me some of your medication?
A touch over the top Lee but I have to admire your enthusiasm.
Personally I am glad Sven's gone but let's not dwell on that sentiment. Let's move forward.
I'd be happy with Sparky although we'd need a new song. We can't have an old rag song.
Disturbed today to read ridiculous stories of Ronnie for 200k per week. Holy heck he'll have the whole squad up in arms if that happens. Let's hope it's just sensationalism by so called journo's.