[ZEUS]

City fans finally decided to do something about this "saga"

Manchester City fans staging protest march against Thaksin's plan to sack Sven

Manchester City fans are to stage a march tomorrow outside the City of Manchester Stadium in support of manager Sven-Goran Eriksson.

The former England boss looks on his way out after one season in charge - and could be on his way to Benfica - as owner Thaksin Shinawatra is dismayed at the club's progress.

However, numerous City supporters' groups are alarmed at the situation and want Eriksson to stay.

A petition with around 14,000 signatures on it will be handed in to the club, according to 'King of the Kippax' fanzine editor Dave Wallace.

He said: "This is not anti-Thaksin, it is pro-Sven and will be a peaceful protest.

"Whether it will make any difference I do not know but at least the fans will be able to register their feelings and let the owner know they are not happy."

source

[Qwerty]

he will be sacked ... losing 7-0 against Middlesbrough.. LOOL

[ZEUS]

The final score is 8-1 mate

[funkdoctorspock]

Will have to check out match of the day for this. That result is beyond terrible. And I'm wondering if it has to do with Sven leaving. The players had to have given up. Can't see it any other way.

[dpak3000]

Man City did have a man get sent off in the 15th minute of the game when it was 0-0. After that, looks like all hell broke loose. An away game that basically counts for nothing for Man City, the future of their manager in serious doubt, and having a man sent off in the early parts of the game looks like the recipe for this disaster. Understandable but still unacceptable to lose 8-1 to Middlesbrough

[mark08]

i thought it was funny as anything to see them get beat 8-1!

especially after all teh stick following their victories over us this season!

i wonder if the sending off, will affect their fairplay and european football spot????

[Qwerty]

BENFICA, Eriksson Says No

News daily A BOLA has reported that outgoing Manchester City manager Sven-Göran Eriksson has ruled out a return to SL Benfica...

14.05.2008
Source: GOAL.COM

The Portuguese club and Eriksson have been in talks over the past few days to discuss the return of the Swedish tactician to Estádio da Luz, who had two very successful stints with the Eagles during the 1980s and early 1990s.

Negotiations seemed to be at an advanced stage, and the 60-year-old was reportedly very close to agreeing terms with Benfica, but the former England boss is now believed to have turned down the offer.

Eriksson's representative, Athole Still, explained that the Swedish coach "received a very attractive offer", but added that the idea of returning to Benfica "faded away in his mind."

Several reports have suggested Eriksson to have been offered a very lucrative deal to coach the Mexican national squad, with CNN having claimed that the coach already has a pre-deal with El Tri.

Benfica are now on the lookout for a new name to coach the squad and replace interim boss Fernando Chalana.

Football Transfer Market Web news: BENFICA, Eriksson Says No

[funkdoctorspock]

Thats ashame that Benfica and Sven couldn't work out a deal.

Read a report that the Mexican NT were in talks to sign him. I'll dig up the link.

In the meantime, Sven and City touched down in Thailand to begin their Asian tour. All eyes will be on Sven's firing.

Sven-Goran Eriksson refused to comment on when he will next meet Manchester City owner Thaksin Shinawatra after arriving in Thailand on Wednesday afternoon.

The City manager landed at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi airport at 1810 local time for the first leg of the club's post-season promotional tour to the Far East, which is set to be overshadowed by speculation over his position.

When asked if he would be meeting with Thaksin, Eriksson said: 'No comment.'

The former England manager was then promptly ushered away into a waiting car.

Thaksin, the former Thai Prime Minister, is reportedly dissatisfied with City's form in the second half of the season which culminated in an 8-1 humiliation at Middlesbrough on Sunday and a ninth-placed finish in the Barclays Premier League.

It was City's best finish since the 2004-2005 season but Eriksson's position has reportedly become precarious.

City defeated champions Manchester United in both the home and away derbies during the season - becoming the only team to win at Old Trafford in the league and claiming their first 'double' over their city rivals in 38 years.

But Eriksson's side won just four and lost eight of 14 matches since the close of the January transfer window, including defeats to relegated teams Birmingham and Reading and a loss to fourth-bottom Fulham.

The 60-year-old Swede could now be given his marching orders in Thailand but still be asked to lead the team in the second leg of the tour in Hong Kong in what would be a farcical end to his season-long reign as a Premier League boss.

City play Thailand Premier All-Stars on Saturday in Bangkok, before meeting a South China Invitational XI in Hong Kong next Thursday.

ESPNsoccernet - England - Sven lands in Thailand tight-lipped over future