Reuters

Managers union criticises City

Updated 15.25 Wed Apr 30 2008

Keywords: richard bevan, thaksin shinawatra, league managers association, sven-goran eriksson, manchester city, sport, football, premier league

The League Managers Association has shown support for Sven-Goran Eriksson and Tord Grip is confident the Swede will be offered work in the summer.

Eriksson met Manchester City owner Thaksin Shinawatra earlier this week and there is widespread speculation the former England boss will be sacked in the summer, despite leading the team into the top half of the table.

"We implore Dr Shinawatra to rethink his strategy" - Richard Bevan

The LMA argues clubs can only achieve success by allowing managers to plan for the long term and they insist it would be a mistake to dispose of Eriksson after less than a year in charge.

LMA chief executive Richard Bevan said: "Success for Manchester City is getting into the top ten, Sven has delivered that.

"He has got two games to go and he is focusing on those two games to go, and we implore Dr Shinawatra to rethink his strategy and to keep Sven on for the three-year period.

"Just look across the way to Manchester United, one manager in almost 22 years, look what they have won and look what Manchester City have won in the last 20 years."

Grip has been working as one of Eriksson's assistants at City and he appears convinced the entire coaching staff will be sacked.

He said: "I am sure Sven will receive new offers.

"We believe we have done well but the owners probably think we have not done a good enough job, so we will be here for the last two matches."

Reports have suggested the Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari could replace Eriksson in the summer, but Barcelona boss Frank Rijkaard has also been tipped for the job.

Dave Wallace, editor of the City fanzine King of the Kippax, said: "We know Sven will get a new job but the question is who will we end up with?

"There has been a lot of talk about Luiz Felipe Scolari but if the money situation is not right, we will not get him or anyone else of any repute. And if that happens, it is not beyond the realms of possibility that we could find ourselves in a relegation battle.

"The whole thing is just ludicrous. For once, we thought we were in for a period of stability. It seems like it is anything but.

"There have been a few grumbles at recent results but we can all see how far the team has progressed. It just seems the owner is either being badly advised or he is just not listening."