Eriksson agrees to join Team Thaksin

London (dpa)

Sven-Goran Eriksson, out of work since the World Cup, agreed Tuesday to take over as manager of Thaksin Shinawatra's Manchester City Football Club for a salary of 3 million pounds a year - 205 million baht.

Sky Sports News reported that the former England manager, who has been out of football since the 2006 World Cup in Germany, will sign a three-year deal for the equivalent of $6 million- depending only on Mr Thaksin's successful takeover of the club.

The former Thai prime minister owns 55.9 per cent of the club's shares, but needs to take his holding to more than 75 per cent if he is to take the club off the stock exchange.

"The board notes the media speculation concerning the managerial position at the club," said chief executive Alistair Mackinstosh.

"Discussions are on-going with managerial candidates and once the [takeover] offer becomes or is declared unconditional in all respects, the club expects to announce the appointment of a new manager."

It is believed Eriksson has already begun planning for City's future, submitting a list of transfer targets to Thaksin.

He has asked Roland Andersson, assistant manager of the Sweden national side, to be his assistant.

"We have been in touch over the last few days and Sven-Goran has said he's considering an offer to join Manchester City as a manager," Andersson said in a statement on the Sweden FA's website.

"It is correct that we have discussed a possible job for me in the club ... but as far as I know, Sven-Goran has not signed a deal with Manchester City and therefore there is no specific offer for me to take a stand on."