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Eriksson admits to holding Benfica talks

08/05/2008

Manchester City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson has admitted to holding talks with Portuguese side Benfica about a possible move to the club this summer.

The Swede is apparently set to look for another job after mounting speculation he will be sacked by City owner Thaksin Shinawatra, despite leading the club to one of their most successful seasons in recent memory.

Eriksson spent a total of five years with Benfica earlier in his career in two separate stints between 1982 and 1984, and 1989 and 1992.

In his time at the Estadio da Luz he won three league titles and the Portuguese Cup, as well as leading the team to the Uefa Cup and European Cup finals in 1982 and 1990, respectively.

And the former England boss said a move to Benfica would represent "a step forward in [his] career".

"I've had a meeting with the Benfica people," he told the Daily Mail newspaper.

"I'm considering an offer. Let's see what happens."

Eriksson has received the backing of City fans, with many staging a vocal protest in support of the manager at the final home Premier League match against Fulham late last month and last week's away fixture at Liverpool.

A number of celebrity City supporters, including Oasis guitarist Noel Gallagher and boxer Ricky Hatton, have also expressed their displeasure about the actions of Thaksin in relation to Eriksson's position.