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Thaksin Shinawatra's making a mistake, says Sven as he prepares to be sacked by Manchester City owner

Last updated at 20:55pm on 10.05.08

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Eriksson: bowing out

Sven Goran Eriksson has told Manchester City owner Thaksin Shinawatra he is wrong to sack him as he prepares for his final game in charge of the club.

With City last night confirmed as likely UEFA Cup entrants next season via the Fair Play League, Eriksson will take his team to Middlesbrough for an emotional last game of the Barclays Premier League season tomorrow.

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And the 60-year-old City manager acknowledged for the first time that Thaksin is about to dismiss him after just 10 months in charge.

Eriksson said: 'It's a possibility that I will not be here long. Of course it is. That's no secret and I do have emotions about it.

'I think I have been a success here but he [Thaksin] does not think that. You must ask him. He is abroad somewhere.

'We came in here last summer and bought a lot of players in a short time.

'I know we haven't played brilliant football all the time but we have played well many times. We are on the right side of the table and could finish as high as eighth.'

With Eriksson close to accepting a three-year deal with Benfica worth Ł4.5million, and Brazilian Luiz Felipe Scolari ready to take over, the club's fans will see their manager one last time at the Riverside Stadium tomorrow.

It will be little consolation to the Swede that England have been awarded an extra UEFA Cup place.

City are currently fifth in the Fair Play League but the four clubs above them — Manchester United, Tottenham, Arsenal and Chelsea — are already guaranteed European football next season.

Asked if he would carry on working at City if Thaksin had an unlikely change of heart, Eriksson said: 'Yes. I came here because I like the Premier League, the club and the project. That has not changed.'

However, it now seems likely that Eriksson will take the City squad on a post-season tour of Asia next week and will be dismissed by Thaksin when he returns.

Benfica officials believe Eriksson will then join them for a third spell in charge.