Eriksson edges closer to City role

Thaksin Shinawatra is privately hoping that Sven-Goran Eriksson will be the new manager of Manchester City when the players return to training on Wednesday.

The former England boss is expected to seal a lucrative three-year deal once Thaksin secures a 75% stake in the club.

That situation could occur at the beginning of next week now Thaksin has 65.78% of the shareholding.

With no major shareholders left, it would be no surprise to see small shareholders sell up shortly.

That would allow Thaksin and the new manager to get down to business and lead City into a new era.

Eriksson is Thaksin’s preferred choice and England midfielder Frank Lampard remains a “big fan” of his old boss despite his failure to deliver on the big stage.

“He will be under pressure because the England job is the toughest one out there,” Chelsea’s Lampard said on Sky Sports News.

“We got to two quarter-finals. We didn’t get as far as everyone wanted at that level.

“But we shouldn’t hark on about that now. He’s in a new job at a new club and I’m sure Manchester City fans will get behind him and I wish him the best of luck.”

Eriksson has not coached a club side for seven years after leaving Italy and Lazio to join England.

He first came into the spotlight with IFK Gothenburg then had spells with Benfica, Roma, Fiorentina, Benfica again and Sampdoria before Lazio.

Lampard added: “He’ll make a big impact because he’s a big personality. I think everyone knows about Sven.

“I’m a big fan of his, both as a person and a manager. I’m very, very pleased he’s back in football at a club like Manchester City.

“His track record is fantastic throughout Europe. He knows how to put teams together and how to make them successful and I hope he can do that for him personally.”

Football Association chief executive Brian Barwick also expects Eriksson to make an impact should he become boss.

Barwick said: “He’s got a great club record and I am sure Manchester City will benefit from that.”