Sven-Goran Eriksson is still in love with the beautiful game and has no intention of retiring despite the confusion at Manchester City.It is widely believed the former England boss will take charge of the side for the last time at Middlesbrough on Sunday.

While owner Thaksin Shinawatra is dismayed at the club's progress, Eriksson remains energised and Benfica are waiting in the wings to snap him up.

While the Swede refused to comment on the prospect of a third spell at the Portuguese club, he is anxious to carry on working.

Eriksson remains haunted by his 12-month absence from the game after leaving the England job.

He said: "I have been a coach or manager since I was 27.

"I had one year off and it was the worst year I ever had in my life.

"So it will be very difficult to keep me out of football, I promise you."

Thaksin's stance seems curious given that City could play in the UEFA Cup after all as England's representatives through the Fair Play League.

They are in pole position to go through to the first qualifying round of the competition.

Eriksson, who is set to meet Thaksin early next week, wants to finish the season in style.

He said: "I am sure it will be a good, open game against Middlesbrough.

"They are safe and I feel they will want to show their fans what they can do.

"We go there with the same spirit and intent on getting a good result."

Striker Darius Vassell, who played for England when Eriksson was in charge, believes the club have moved forward.

He said: "If you look at the season as a whole compared to last year we should all be happy.

"We've improved and done better than was probably expected, so that has to be a positive.

"We spoke before the season and the priority was to try to get into Europe.

"When we started out in August we played some good football.

"We didn't do so well in the second half of the season, but we've still ground some good results out when we needed to and that's the sign of a good team."

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