Eriksson on the verge of City deal

Sven-Goran Eriksson was today edging closer to becoming the new manager of Manchester City. The former England boss has not signed a contract, but is understood to be very likely to commit himself to a three-year deal shortly.

The 59-year-old Swede has been targeted by prospective new club owner Thaksin Shinawatra, who is seeking to take his shareholding past the 75% mark, which will see the club delisted.

Eriksson has sounded out Roland Andersson about becoming his assistant at Eastlands. Currently Sweden's assistant coach, Andersson said he was "flattered" to be offered the role.

Andersson, whose contract expires next year, has informed Sweden coach Lars Lagerback and FA officials that Eriksson has been in touch.

He added: "I have a fantastic job as Sweden's assistant coach. I have informed Lars Lagerback and the people at the FA, I have had this conversation with Sven.

"But, as long as there is no concrete offer to take into consideration, there is nothing to discuss."

Prior to a forgettable tenure as England manager Eriksson enjoyed huge success at club level.

At IFK Gothenburg he won four trophies between 1979 and 1982.  In two years at Benfica the Swede won the league twice and the cup once before moving on to Roma.

In his three years in the Italian capital for the first time he guided the side to Coppa Italia success once, but his reign coincided with the dominant spell enjoyed by a great AC Milan side.

His luck changed in the two years he was in Florence between 1987 and 1989, when he failed to win anything with Fiorentina.

Eriksson returned to Benfica in 1989 and brought the side to the Champions League final a year later, only to be thwarted by AC Milan again.  A year later he he won the league table before returning to Italy for a mixed five-year spell with Sampdoria where he only managed to win the Coppa.

Another spell in Rome followed in 1997, this time with Lazio. There he won the Coppa and Italian Super-Cup (1998), Uefa Cup Winners' Cup and Uefa Super Cup (1999) and finally the long-awaited Scudetto in 2000 as part of a league and cup double, prompting his appointment as England boss.