Scolari City link gathers pace

Portugal boss tipped to replace Eriksson

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 6th May 2008

Luiz Felipe Scolari

Scolari: World Cup winner

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Reports in Portugal are suggesting that Luiz Felipe Scolari could be in line to become the new boss at Manchester City.

The current occupant of the hotseat at Eastlands, Sven Goran Eriksson, looks likely to be relieved of his duties over the summer and the Portuguese national team coach is now a strong contender to replace him.

Eriksson has led City to a top-half finish in the Premier League, but despite loyal backing from the club's players and supporters, his achievements may not be enough to save his job.

"I don't know whether the players felt they had a point to prove to the owner or anyone else in the game at Liverpool (on Sunday) but what I would say is that myself, the coaching staff and everyone who works at the Carrington training ground are a close unit and it has always been like that and I'm very proud of them and what we have achieved," the City boss told the Manchester Evening News.

Scolari is understood to have been offered a deal which is substantially higher than his current contract with Portugal, and the World Cup winning coach has refused to rule out the possibility of returning to club management after this summer's European Championship.

"I'll speak about my future after Euro 2008," he has been quoted as saying.

Speculation

Despite his position at City becoming increasingly untenable, Eriksson insists that he remains focused on picking up three points in the club's final game of the season at Middlesbrough this weekend.

"This is not the toughest time I have had in football," he said.

"Speculation in football whether it is to do with managers, players, business or politics is always there amongst fans today.

"All I want to see is another City win at Middlesbrough next Sunday then it is the time for talking. I think it is always important in my job to behave in a proper way.

"Maybe people think I haven't always done that but there are always excuses to behave badly if you choose to and I don't."

Meanwhile, City have received £350,000 from West Brom after the Baggies' promotion triggered a clause in the deal which took Ishmael Miller to the Hawthorns during the January transfer window.