Premier League - Grip: Eriksson to leave City

Eurosport - Wed, 30 Apr 12:36:00 2008

Sven-Goran Eriksson's assistant Tord Grip has said the pair will leave Manchester City at the end of the season.

2007-2008 Manchester City Sven-Goran Eriksson - 0

Grip, who was also Eriksson's right-hand man when the Swede managed England, said owner Thaksin Shinawatra was dissatisfied with results but claimed Eriksson had not been given enough time.

"We will be here for the two last matches. They probably think that we haven't done a good enough job", Grip told Aftonbladet newspaper.

"We believe that we have done well, it's been harder after Christmas but that's how football works; things always go up and down and Premier League is like a marathon. It takes time to build a team.

"Svennis will receive new offers soon I'm sure."

Eriksson's position has been left untenable after a breakdown in his relationship with Shinawatra.

On Monday the Swede held a stormy meeting with the former Thai prime minister in which he made plain his fury at the owner's public criticism of him.

Agent Athole Still said Eriksson would not walk away from the club, forcing City to sack him and shell out millions in compensation.

Still said: "The one thing I can say with assurance is that he will not walk away from the club. You walk if you feel you have done a bad job and you are not worthy of the position. In Sven's case that is very far from the truth."

City appeared contenders for a top-four finish after winning their first 11 home games this season, but have since faded to ninth place.

Shinawatra has questioned the return on his multi-million pound investment in City and is thought to want Portugal coach and one-time England target Luiz Felipe Scolari to replace Eriksson.

City have spent £46 million in the transfer market to accumlate a mixture of success stories, like Vedran Corluka and Elano, and expensive failures such as Rolando Bianchi.

More funds for the closed season are in jeopardy, however, as Shinawatra's assets in Thailand are still frozen while he is being investigated over claims of corruption during his time in power.

Eriksson himself refused to discuss on the situation while the club say nothing will be decided until the end of the season.

"The Chairman and I spoke at the weekend, but I do not wish to comment any further," said Eriksson.

City spokesman Paul Tyrrell said: "Dr Thaksin Shinawatra recently stated that there would be a full review of the club at the end of the season.

"The situation remains the same. Sven-Goran Eriksson, the players, board and staff of the football club are fully focused on the two remaining games of the current campaign."

Kristine Bergstrom / Tony Mabert / Eurosport