Eriksson awaits his fate after humiliating loss

Published:

Middlesbrough8

Manchester City1

MANCHESTER City manager Sven Goran Eriksson expects a quick decision on his future after watching his 10-man side slump to an embarrassing 8-1 defeat at Middlesbrough yesterday.

The former England manager has guided the club to ninth in the English Premier League – City’s best finish since Kevin Keegan led them to eighth in 2004-05.

There is also a likely place in the Uefa Cup awaiting via the Fair Play League but that may not be enough to save Eriksson’s job.

Thai owner Thaksin Shinawatra has already expressed his disappointment with the final outcome of Eriksson’s 10 months in charge and the former Thai Prime Minister is fully expected to dispense with the Swede’s services sooner rather than later.

“To live in the unsecure is never good for anyone but I hope to not be living in the unsecure very soon, within hours,” he said.

“I have had no answer (about his future) yet.”

Eriksson was asked when he expected to speak to Thaksin. “Now, as soon as I have finished here I hope.”

Asked what effect the speculation about his job had on the players and the performance, Eriksson added: “You can never measure that.”

Stewart Downing fired home a 16th-minute penalty after City captain Richard Dunne was harshly sent off for bringing down Tuncay Sanli and eight minutes before the break Afonso Alves slotted home the second.

After the break it was one-way traffic but the extent of City’s capitulation would be concerning for whoever is in charge next season.

Downing smashed in a left-foot volley and Alves scored a second before substitute Adam Johnson scored with a deflected long-range shot.

Fabio Rochemback curled in a 30-yard free kick and Jeremie Aliadiere fired home with Elano getting a consolation before Alves completed his hat-trick.

Eriksson could offer no explanation for the result other than bad luck.