Agent - Sven will not quit

Eriksson set to remain as City boss as club release statement

Last updated: 29th April 2008

Sven Goran Eriksson Manchester City manager

Eriksson: Set to remain at Manchester City

There is no way he will quit after the successful job he has done.

Athole Still
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Sven Goran Eriksson's agent says the Swede has no intention of quitting Manchester City in spite of fresh speculation about his future.

Eriksson had a cordial if uneasy meeting with City owner Thaksin Shinawatra on Monday and is expected to take training as usual on Tuesday.

Eriksson blasted his players for being lazy against Fulham at the weekend. However, rumours about his position as City manager refuse to go away.

But his agent, Athole Still, said: "There is no way he will quit after the successful job he has done."

City have also released a statement saying: "Sven Goran Eriksson has confirmed that he has no plans to leave the club.

"He will be at Carrington to take training as normal."

City will certainly finish the season in line with Thaksin's target - being in the top half of the league - with the aim being to qualify for Europe in a year's time and the Champions League two years down the line.

The owner has pinpointed "a striker, a midfielder and a defender" to be signed in the summer while Eriksson only stated he needs "something" to lift City into the top six.

Backing

Eriksson has received firm backing from Michael Ball, City's captain on Saturday in the absence of Richard Dunne, who said the squad were to a man supportive of the former England manager.

Ball said: "Every player is 100% behind him (Eriksson). We like his methods, the way he trains, the way he goes about his tactics.

"If the club wants to go forward we have got to keep the coaching staff and obviously add a few more players."

Eriksson said the players' attitude was to blame for their 3-2 humiliation by Fulham after they had been cruising at 2-0 ahead.

He told the club's official website: "We had a lot of defenders injured, so the backline was completely new but we didn't lose to Fulham just because of that. We lost because our attitude in the last 20 minutes to defending throughout went away.

"At the end of the game we had four, five players up the field like strikers and not even walking back, that's not acceptable. Adding to that, we had a new back four so we will have to learn the lesson.

"You have to take blows to the head, like we did on Saturday, to learn so it does not happen again. We have to learn to get behind the ball when we lose it."

Comments

Steve King (Manchester City fan) says...

Dr Thaksin owns the club and it's his call to make if he thinks he can make a stronger appointment. I think he's taking a huge risk, but if he has someone lined up who can carry on the progress made this season, produce a more entertaining team and take the club into Europe, then we have to back him. So yes let's show support for Sven and show gratitude for his achievements this season. However, he now has a restored reputation, will soon be £3m richer and no doubt will land another top job very soon. We're City fans and need to support the club more than one man. I'll be wearing my light blue tie with pride tomorrow, but we have to all hope the risk pays off and we go onwards and upwards. Having just seen Barcelona fail to reach the Champions League final, let's not give any more pleasure to the Rags by staging a mutiny against the Chairman. City till we die, remember.

Posted 22:13 29th April 2008

Zenboy 71 (Manchester City fan) says...

To Sack Sven would be utter madness, I've been a City Fan all my life, after taking great steps forward under Sven I don't believe another manager is the answer when the one we've got is doing a great job. Dr.T needs to sack the Yes men, listen to the fans and let Sven and Tord do their jobs. Getting higher up the league and into Europe takes money and time!

Posted 22:04 29th April 2008

David Lyon says...

As a City fan for over 50 years I cannot believe what I am seeing and hearing! Why do City self-destruct? Why would the new owner sack Sven? The man has finally brought some respect to this great club. He has done more than any manager since Joe & Malcolm. If Sven goes then I expect to see an exodus of players and who can blame them. Why would any self-respecting player stay when the owner interferes just because he is on a power trip! Keep Sven as he has done a great job. It is hard enough being a City fan in North America but if Sven goes then all is lost!

Posted 20:42 29th April 2008

Noel Gallagher (Manchester City fan) says...

To get rid of him after the best season I can remember is ridiculous. It can't be for any footballing reasons. For a club that's been going nowhere fast for the last 25 years, with a manager who's the best out there bar Jose Mourinho. he turned it around and gave us a bit of style and dignity and grace. He bought some great players. The fans have got pride back in the club.I just think it's beyond a joke. We've got a manager who's got style. If the owner thought they could come in and qualify for the Champions League straight away then he's tripping. It'd be like sacking David Moyes at Everton or Martin O'Neill at Aston Villa because they didn't qualify. It takes more than one season. Eriksson is a graceful and dignified man. This guy Shinawatra has come in and he seems like a bit of a nutcase. The only thing that will get him off the hook is if he's got Mourinho lined up. Apart from Mourinho Eriksson's the best thing out there. I'd be amazed and appalled if I met a City fan who thought getting rid of Eriksson was a good thing. They all love him up there. I'd give him a big kiss and say, 'You know what, you take them to the cleaners.

Posted 20:34 29th April 2008

Sam Thornborrow says...

Football is not like business or politics. Fast results in football are almost impossible. This was proved in the Youth FA cup final when a team of players whom played together sine a young age defeated a team costing £6million. Shinawatra does not understand football.

Posted 20:26 29th April 2008

Peter Keeling says...

This is not the way to fill the stadium Thaksin - you'll empty it. The potential to move our club up to the next level is there already. The current players, coaching staffs, manager and fans will help you achieve your ambition, turn on them and you will never get there. Look at what you've got. So far everything you asked for. Undo this season's achievements and you'll wait years just to get back to where we are now.

Posted 19:48 29th April 2008

Scott Williams (Cardiff City fan) says...

Elano, Petrov and Corluka to name just a few of the class signings that Sven has brought in. He was bound to bring in a few more of those type of players in the summer and when you add Richards, Dunne, Johnson and Hart to all ofthe UEFA Cup or maybe even the Champions League next season and i cannot believe Thaksin Shinawatra is even considering selling him! He clearly doesn't know football, it's an absoloute disgrace!

Posted 18:04 29th April 2008

Tom Finn (Manchester City fan) says...

i really can't believe this is going on, only at city would this happen. you have to look at the teams around us to appreciate what sven has done in so little time. we are on the same points as blackburn, two behind portsmouth, four behind villa and only seven behind everton, the difference between us and them is that they have all had time to build a squad in their mangers eyes and have had money spent on them consistently over the last three/four seasons and that is why they are all european contenders. if you look at two seasons ago, villa and portsmouth finished 16/17 respectively and look where they are now. sven has done what he has promised which is a top 10 finnish and i believe im right in saying that we have or are close to finishing with the most points since city have been in the premership. Thaksin Shinawatra just needs to listen to fans,players or anyone for that matter to know that what sven has done is fantastic and that he should be given a chance to mould city the way he sees them, he has got us playing attractive football and with a few new signings we will be a very hard team to beat.

Posted 15:35 29th April 2008

Peter Kallon (Liverpool fan) says...

This is the problem with foreign owners. They want the success but don't understand the business. Do you think any British owned club would be threatening Sven with the sack for having the season City have had after the season they had last year? Mr Shinawatra if you want to be Abramovich then you would need to spend probably three times the amount you have already spent but even then you'd have to give the manager time!!

Posted 15:23 29th April 2008

Charles Eyombo says...

It will scandalous to near impeccable proportion to see Sven go. For his year he has done a tremendous job. Just give him time and I feel he will do deliver a European place. I doubt whether the owner is a football man. Sven Erikson is a top manager and will certainly get a top job if he is sacked.

Posted 15:11 29th April 2008

Rick (man city fan) says...

Sven has done an amazing job - he spent some money but started with a poor squad after years of selling good players. Spurs, Newcastle and the top 4 teams all spend more each year. It would be a disaster if he got fired - City need stability and another investment in some more high quality players. Give Sven time to finish the job - Utd were patient with Fergie and are playing in a Champions League semi tonight!

Posted 14:28 29th April 2008

Hadge Johnson (Manchester City fan) says...

Although not Svens biggest fan when he was given the job it would be a stupid decision to sack him. Hope the fans let the owner know what they think at Liverpool on Sunday.

Posted 14:27 29th April 2008

Mike Buckley says...

Peter Barnes has hit the nail on the head, you only have to look at the two most successful teams in the premiership over the last decade, Arsenal and the team from across the road - Why? Because of stability - the same manager with his choice of players. We are making a huge mistake getting rid of Sven. What happens next season when the new manager brings in his choice of players and wants time for them to blend in and settle into English football - will he get the sack as well??

Posted 14:26 29th April 2008

Bayo Ogunbufunmi says...

Daft!!! This makes the squabbling at Anfield look like a difference of opinion between 2 seasoned professionals. I'm sorry city but your owner is an ignoramous.

Posted 13:29 29th April 2008

Phil Banerjee says...

I despair that City has fallen to this. Sven has done a great job. Thaksin Shinawatra is starting to prove all the people who doubted him to be right. This is a nasty business and an embarassment.

Posted 10:43 29th April 2008

Daniel Eccles (Manchester City fan) says...

I'm a Man City fan. Thaksin wanted us to have a top half finish and we've got a top half finish, it's as simple as that! You need time to build a team. Not every team is like Sunderland who came from the bottom of the Championship and got promoted. Teams need time to build themselves, that's why I'm completely behind Sven to stay.

Posted 10:20 29th April 2008

John P (Manchester City fan) says...

This is disgraceful! Sven has achievied what he promised, a top ten finish! I'm disgusted with our chairman!

Posted 10:18 29th April 2008

Joseph Morfiris (Manchester City fan) says...

This would be a disaster. I can't believe that this is happening. This has been the best season since the Division One Keegan campaign. Sven is a genius and this is madness. We beat United twice and are now an established top ten team with potential. Please don;t do this Thaksin.

Posted 10:05 29th April 2008

Barry Luff (Manchester City fan) says...

City need consistency and to sack Sven would be a disaster. Sven is the best thing to happen to City in years . Dr Thaksin would have a major backlash from City fans if he replaces Sven. I was at the match on Saturday and the support for Sven was audible throughout the game. To beat United not once, but twice was only what most fans could dream about...especially after 34 years and then the youth cup after 22 years... Dr Thaksin needs to sack his advisors and not Sven.

Posted 10:01 29th April 2008

Ted Lear says...

I have been a Man City fan for over 50 years and to even think of sacking Sven is crazy. He is the best manager we have had since the Mercer/Allson period in the late 60's when we won the league and old Cup Winners Cup. If he goes I think that some of our best players will not want to stay at a club which keeps changing their manager and also we would not attract the better players to sign for us - CONTINUITY is the required to succeed in the Premier League !!!

Posted 09:47 29th April 2008

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