Benfica are remaining coy on the possibility of Manchester City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson returning to the club 16 years after his spell with the Portuguese giants.

A delegation from Benfica including president Luis Felipe Vieira and captain Rui Costa, the club's future sporting director, were filmed by Portuguese broadcaster SIC in a hotel in Manchester where the former England boss had also reportedly been.

The club refused to confirm anybody from Benfica had met with Eriksson or offered him a contract.

Benfica spokesman Ricardo Maia said: "We will not comment on any suggestions of a future Benfica coach now.

"Whether someone is or is not in Manchester to try to persuade Eriksson, we have nothing to say about it."

Eriksson has been linked with Benfica since Antonio Camacho quit after declaring himself "unable to motivate the squad".

The former England manager's future at Eastlands has been the subject of much speculation, with owner Thaksin Shinawatra expected to relieve Eriksson of his duties at the end of the current campaign and Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari is widely tipped as a successor.

Benfica risk missing out on a Champions League spot after a disappointing season.

They are fourth in the SuperLiga, three points behind rivals Sporting Lisbon.

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