[Munkey Boy]

Looks like it's 99% certain SGE is going to sign for City later this week then, once the takeover's complete.

What do you reckon? Have City got the right manager? I've got to think so, I mean just look at his club management record:

1979-82: IFK Gothenburg

• Swedish Cup Winners 1979
• Swedish Cup Winners 1982
• Swedish League Champions 1981
• Swedish League Champions 1982
• UEFA Cup Winners 1982

1982-84: SL Benfica

• Portuguese League Champions 1983
• Portuguese League Champions 1984
• Portuguese Cup Winners 1983

1984-87: AS Roma

• Italian Cup Winners 1986

1987-89: AC Fiorentina

1989-92: SL Benfica

• Portuguese League Champions 1991

1992-97: Sampdoria UC

• Italian Cup Winners 1994

1997-2000: SS Lazio

• Italian Cup Winners 1998
• Italian Cup Winners 2000
• Italian Super Cup Winners 1998
• UEFA Cup Winners' Cup Winners 1999
• UEFA Super Cup Winners 1999
• Italian League Champions 2000

Will he do the right thing with £50m? Looks like top of the shopping list is Shaun Wright-Phillips, Freddie Ljungberg, Nicolas Anelka, Nigel Reo-Coker; they all seem like the right kind of names to be going for to me. I do have a few reservations about Sven not knowing what he's letting himself in for though, it's a fair old task he's got on his hands down at Eastlands: last season we were terrible, especially at home.

All that said though, it's all a bit surreal at the moment: billionairre chairmen, manager with a proven track record at club level and £50m to spend. Roll on the good times!

Any opinions/predictions?

[akane_1984]

as a Man U fan even I can say I think Sven will do a job at City, he will bring a domestic cup at least, carling or fa sooner or later? as you point out his club record is really good. Just hope he is given the time to work.

[DJT75]

He likes winning cups doesn't he? - which is amazing when he was completely inept at attempting to win one with England.

However, I'm actually pleased to see him back working in England, firstly so the FA can stop paying him (£50 says there's a clause somewhere that states his earnings have to be a certain amount so they have to keep topping up the City wages), & I've missed the old fella's laid back interviews on TV."Well um, you see um..."

One thing I don't understand though - Why the hell would he want to come back into the English Press limelight again? Unless he loves it, like the Beckhams of course...

[Munkey Boy]

Why does he want to come back? I'm guessing £2.5m a year wages might have something to do with it, plus England stopped paying his wages yesterday apparently! Coincidence?!

And I have to say the phrase "he does like winning cups" is music to my ears... 31 bloody years I've waited, I was born 2 months after City last lifted a trophy!

I do think he got a harder time than he deserved with England, though he absolutely exasperated me when he refused to drop Beckham when it was obvious it was needed. His record was P67 W40 D17 L10, which while not setting the world alight, was passable. I reckon the England job is one of the hardest in the world myself.

[Woodywizz]

I think he'll do a good job at City - with money to spend he'll do fine.

So, who do you think he's going to buy?? A striker first - Anelka?? Smith??

You can even have Saha for..erm..£12m

[Steven]

I think City fans first and foremost would like to know where he went from 2000 to 2007 between his Lazio and pending City appointment(s)! Seems to have gone missing in that time!

Bye now Too obvious I know

[Robbie Razzler]

Originally Posted by DJT75

He likes winning cups doesn't he? - which is amazing when he was completely inept at attempting to win one with England.

However, I'm actually pleased to see him back working in England, firstly so the FA can stop paying him (£50 says there's a clause somewhere that states his earnings have to be a certain amount so they have to keep topping up the City wages), & I've missed the old fella's laid back interviews on TV."Well um, you see um..."

One thing I don't understand though - Why the hell would he want to come back into the English Press limelight again? Unless he loves it, like the Beckhams of course...

Well there is a bit of a difference in getting a country to win a World cup (especially England with all the media pressures etc )compared to a club team winning at least a carling cup.

Although alot of the time I thought his team choices and tactics were shocking to say the least he can't be blamed for the multi million pound monkeys that tried to take penalties and it was them that prevented England from winning trophies, not Sven.

Although Sven was in charge for one of England's most embarrisng defeats to Northern Ireland, that was my country's greatest ever victory But i think he will do a good job at city and he will have the respect of the players which is 50% of the battle and get the players playing as a team. It can only be good for premiership having another rich club as it will make the league more competive.

P.S i'm a manU fan and don't really wish city any success at all

[alaniho]

Originally Posted by Robbie Razzler

Although Sven was in charge for one of England's most embarrisng defeats to Northern Ireland, that was my country's greatest ever victory

great memories Robbie Razzler I think he will do ok, so long as he does not have to many penalty shootouts !!!

I wonder will he get much stick around the country on away days ???

[rio1981]

Whatever anyone thinks about SGE, you just can't argue with his domestic record.

It'll be interesting to see how he deals with going back to club management, and namely in this country. I think, if this is a done deal, that City fans should be wary of the Thai takeover rather than the new manager.

[CFC1]

Originally Posted by rio1981

Whatever anyone thinks about SGE, you just can't argue with his domestic record.

Absolutely! ..... there's Nancy.... Ulrika of course ....oh, yeah, not forgetting that Faria Alam from the F.A..... and ...

[Munkey Boy]

Originally Posted by rio1981

I think, if this is a done deal, that City fans should be wary of the Thai takeover rather than the new manager.

I know what you mean, but right now he's written off our £60m debt and given us £50m to play with. As far as I can tell he's not got any plans to asset strip us or anything like that, I mean he couldn't do anything with the stadium anyway as it's owned by Manchester City Council, we've just leased it for 200 years. What could he mess up?

[overkill]

Tbh the most impressive note on Erikssons CV is the UEFA cup win in 1982. Winning leauges in Portugal with either Porto or Benfica is not the hardest of jobs for a moderately good manager, and considering he spent an absolute fortune at Lazio, yet still produced an awful team to watch, and won only one title in 2000 (the cup means nothing to anyone but English fans) City fans should watch out. The problem everyone had with him at England was his inability to adapt or to show any sign of tactical development over time. As a result England lost every crunch game bar one, and that from a dodgy free-kick, under him. Not good when you are up against teams like Utd, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool who are adaptable.

I wonder if City fans will be wondering just how on Earth he was successful in a few months time. Bear in mind of course, he hasn't had to be successful through building a team from scratch since his Gothenburg days. And that, was a very long time ago.................

My biggest worry, is that City may bounce back under Sven (hurrah!) but they will about as exciting as watching paint dry in the process (groan!).

As said by others, if I was a City Fan I'd be more worried about the dodgy Thai geezer.

[city fan]

Gotta say, I'm heartned by the positve posts for Sven, even from Woody, I'd take Saha, not for £12 million though.

I honestly think this is the best thing that could have happened for the blues.

Look at the alternative, if Sinatra had not put his money in where would we be. Potless, almost, with Jewell or Warnock as the manager

Good post by munkey boy outlining Svens achievements. As long as he gets the right players, things can only be looking up for City. The problem lies with getting the right ones. There's so much competion now for the best players. Newcastle have now got £50 million to spend it's been reported. (£25 mil of that for minders for Joey)

Can we attract the best players, I'm not sure, but at this stage we couldn't have asked for more....roll on the new season, Man U in the 3rd game bring it on...........

[Munkey Boy]

I read in the paper today that, statistically speaking, Sven was Englands most successful manager.

[overkill]

Originally Posted by Munkey Boy

I read in the paper today that, statistically speaking, Sven was Englands most successful manager.

Which just goes to show how statistics can (and do) lie. Not to forget of course that during his tenure, he and the FA cherry picked friendlies to make sure not too many 'awkward' games came up, and the groups he had, well................. Ramsey, Revie, Robson and Taylor (in particular) would have killed to get those!

[rio1981]

Too right, so statistically Sven did a better job than the manager that we had when we actually won the World Cup?

I must confess that the last manager I actually enjoyed watching England play under was Venables. The prospect of watching an England game these days fills me with dread...

But back on-topic, if Sven can recapture some of the success that he had in the domestic game in his early years then that's got to be a good thing for City - PLUS (and this is huge for City in my opinion), whatever you think of him he will be a big draw for players coming in because of his stature within the game, and his experience.

[overkill]

The best thing SGE can do for City is steady the ship. And whatever else he may be (deliverer of boring football springs to mind) that is critical to stop City going into meltdown - again. I should City fans have had just about enough of the roller-coaster of promotion/relegation and false starts in the top flight to last them a lifetime. The last 'steady' period was back in the 70's!

If Sven can get to mid table (or above), without spending a fortune, and give the club something to build on next year, I should think Man City fans will be demanding he get the keys to the 'City'!

[Abbeygoo]

As a season ticket holder at City for now 20 years, I think this is a great appointment for the club. As has been said :

1. Domestic record is very impressive and the only manager in Europe to win domestic doubles in three different countries

2. Sven's ability to draw in the big names will be a big factor in the transfer market.

3. The alternatives? Difficult to come up with anyone who comes close and as Munkey Boy says, we were looking at no cash and Jewell / Warnock at one stage - so who can deny it is a huge step forward?


Obviously most City fans have their concerns about the man after his World Cup ended in the quarter finals - a lot of tactical cock ups and squad selection mistakes ..... Theo Walcott?

Anyway, I think with the right amount of money behind him Sven can attract some big names to the club and take us forward - any talk of breaking in the top four should be shelved imo as that will put too much pressure on. As has been posted, a sniff of some silverware / qualification for Europe will be on the list of expectations for his first season and I'm pretty confident he can deliver that for us.

SWP ..... it's time to leave your bench-sitting ego filled temporary residence and to come back home where you are loved ....

[CFC1]

Originally Posted by Abbeygoo

1. Obviously most City fans have their concerns about the man after his World Cup ended in the quarter finals - a lot of tactical cock ups and squad selection mistakes ..... Theo Walcott?


2. SWP ..... it's time to leave your bench-sitting ego filled temporary residence and to come back home where you are loved ....

1. Rightly so ... I think it will be interesting to see who his number 2 is!

2. After being dumped out of the WC squad at the last minute by Ericsson... there's no chance SWP will go anywhere near him Abbey! Despite what anyone outside thinks, SWP is loved by the Chelsea fans ... we are all desperate to see him do well and be happy ... we just need to convince the manager!

[neilios]

I think its a good appointment ,he'll get the decent name players in ,steady the team and despite what people say i do think he knows what he's doing.

It would be nice to appoint an english manager ,but just like the playing staff of the english game we are suffering from a distinct lack of talent at the moment .

[overkill]

Originally Posted by neilios

I think its a good appointment ,he'll get the decent name players in ,steady the team and despite what people say i do think he knows what he's doing.

It would be nice to appoint an english manager ,but just like the playing staff of the english game we are suffering from a distinct lake of talent at the moment .

I think he knows what he's doing, it's just most people don't like what they see even when he does.............

However, as Abbey says, it's Citys first big appointment in a while, he has a proven track record at club level, and he will attract, if not high profile players, as let's be realistic here, they will always go to the G14 clubs, players that are a cut above what City fans have had to put up with for long time.

For me it's still the dodgy Thai geezer that's going to cause problems........ Let's face it, Liverpool were desperate (and they were, just admit it guys! ) for a major new investor and yet they gave him the **** rush.

[city fan]

I'm getting a case of squeaky bum time. Why is this thing dragging on. Come on you shareholders shift those shares to Sinartra now and give him the 75%

Only when Sven signs on the dotted line will I be happy. The players are back in training with no coach, we've not even got our pre-season fixtures sorted yet. At this rate if there are decent players left they'll be at stupid prices.

Typical City again, always doing things the hard way, we've had a rollercoaster ride even before the season has begun

[overkill]

Originally Posted by city fan

I'm getting a case of squeaky bum time. Why is this thing dragging on. Come on you shareholders shift those shares to Sinartra now and give him the 75%

Only when Sven signs on the dotted line will I be happy. The players are back in training with no coach, we've not even got our pre-season fixtures sorted yet. At this rate if there are decent players left they'll be at stupid prices.

Typical City again, always doing things the hard way, we've had a rollercoaster ride even before the season has begun

Maybe City, like Liverpool, are finding that they aren't as happy with the Thaimans money as was first mooted. If that's the case, and yet he still takes over, then City had better have, and this is whats probably causing the delay, tons of safeguards built in if the Thai govt comes knocking for the money he's 'alleged' to have embezzled.

Sven, whatever his faults, isn't daft either, and he'll want similar assurances that he won't find himself in charge of a team with no money to pay the bills or bring in new faces.

I would be more happy (if I was a City fan) that this is taking a while, than City rush unprotected into a potentially disastrous relationship with a guy who makes Chelsea's Russian look squeeky clean!

[Steven]

The way its looking, it will all end in tears with Thaksin!

Oh well, at least Sven is back Accuse me of being all sentimental, but I missed the crazy guy's press conferences

[Munkey Boy]

Saw this interesting article about Thaksin and just how much debt City were in before the takeover. We'd spent £10m of this years £13.5m TV money already

[overkill]

He is one dodgy geezer, to use the cockerny vernacular. Hopefully, for City, Sven will go there anyway. As for the Thai, the longer it goes on the worse it looks. I wouldn't trust him as far as he can be kicked. And he's a hefty lad.........

[Munkey Boy]

And so the new era begins...

Eriksson named as Man City boss

Eriksson left his England post after last summer's World Cup
Former England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson has been confirmed as Manchester City manager.
The 59-year-old has signed a three-year deal worth a reported £9m - and is set to be given a £50m transfer kitty.

The appointment was triggered by former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's acquisition of more than 75% of City shares.

"I'm delighted and honoured to be City manager. It's an exciting challenge," the Swede told the club website.

He added: "I've already started making preparations for the new season. I want to deliver a team that our fantastic fans can be proud of."

It is believed Tord Grip will again be the Swede's right-hand man.

Grip was Eriksson's number two during the former Lazio, Sampdoria and Benfica's six-year tenure as England manager.

Roland Anderson, who is currently Sweden's assistant manager, is also expected to join Eriksson's backroom team.

Eriksson has succeeded Stuart Pearce, who was sacked at the end of last season.

The Swede, who met the City players and took a training session on Wednesday, has been out of football since leaving the England job after the 2006 World Cup.

The club's chief executive, Alistair Mackintosh, said: "I'm delighted that Sven has agreed to join the club as we move into an exciting new era.

"His vast experience of managing top clubs to success around Europe is one of the qualities that attracted us to him.

"He also knows the Premier League inside out during his time as national team manager."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/foot...ty/6241052.stm

Worst kept secret in football, but at least he can get going with splashing the cash now. Top half finishes here we come!

[city fan]

About time too.

Now just to hope we get some decent players, if there's any left. Yakubu sounds a good start. Maybe Crouch? Could he prise SWP back from Chelsea?

At least we've got a Manager who can pull strings and has some clout in the football world. Means a lot these days, especially when a lot of clubs have big money, like us now. Things must be looking up. Just think without Thaksin we'd have Paul Jewell now and no prospects. And I don't care what anyone says about Thaksins money, Overkill.

[Abbeygoo]

I think it's a great appointment for City.

I was thinking earlier today about the comparison to when we appointed Keegan. Another ex-England manager but without the same track record as Eriksson and nowhere near the experience of managing throughout europe. Keegan was able to take us up as champions and then finish in the top 10 and establish ourselves back in the premiership in our new ground.

I am sure that Eriksson will do better. The money available, the pulling power of the name and the club will ensure plenty of new players before we start the new season.

If I could pick some players? SWP, Anelka and Owen would be good for a start.

[Woodywizz]

Great news for City, and he will attract some big names - looking forward to the Derby already where the City back four will be facing Rooney, Ronaldo, Tevez, and Giggs