Ranieri: Eriksson can lift Manchester City into Big Four if given chance

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Claudio Ranieri has leapt to the defence of embattled Manchester City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson in Hong Kong - and the Italian insists the Swede can lift the Blues into the Barclays Premier League's top four.Speculation has been rife over Eriksson's future, with City owner Thaksin Shinawatra conducting a review of the club and reportedly lining up a replacement.Juventus manager Ranieri was the victim of similar rumours while Chelsea boss before departing Stamford Bridge in June 2004 despite three years remaining onhis contract.

Support: Juventus manager Claudio Ranieri had similar problem at Chelsea and has backs Eriksson at Man City.

But the 56-year-old insists Eriksson could lift City into the top four if given time at Eastlands. "Nobody can take a team and immediately bring first position," said Ranieri. "I think this year, another year and a third year - I think Sven would get the team in the first four.

"The first year it is very difficult to immediately field a good team. "The Premiership is very hard and there are a lot of good teams." Eriksson was in a relaxed mood as City promoted the second leg of their post-season tour of Asia. The former England boss remained silent on the topic of his future, but reflected on a "very good year" last season as the Blues finished ninth in the Premier League and secured a UEFA Cup berth via the fair play table. "I think Manchester City as a club - the players, the coaches, everybody - we had a good year, a very good year," said Eriksson. "The start of the season was fantastic, maybe too good to be true. "Second half, we were not as good as the first half. "Looking totally, I think it was a very good year for Manchester City." When asked to make a prediction on tonight's Champions League final between Manchester United and Chelsea, Eriksson forecast penalties, a fate his England side succumbed to in successive tournaments in 2004 and 2006. It's impossible to predict what is going to happen tonight because they are two extremely good teams," added Eriksson. "But 1-1 after 90 minutes, 2-2 after extra time and I don't know who is going to win on penalties." Manchester City play a South China Invitational XI tomorrow before Juventus meet South China in an exhibition event. Eriksson announced that Thaksin has promised to donate City's match fee of around £40,000 to the emergency fund for the victims of last week's earthquake in Sichuan, China.