Sven keeps cool despite Bangkok defeat - Sport in brief - Evening Standard
       

Sven keeps cool despite Bangkok defeat

Manchester City's European qualification seemed to relax manager Sven-Goran Eriksson - but the Swede continued to sidestep questions relating to the future.

The Blues, who discovered on Friday that they will play in the UEFA Cup next season courtesy of the fair play table, opened their post-season promotional tour of Asia with a 3-1 loss to Thailand Premier All-Stars in Bangkok on Saturday.

"The news about the UEFA Cup was extremely good news for the club," said Eriksson.

Speculation has engulfed the former England manager with club owner Thaksin Shinawatra conducting a review of the club which is set to be complete late next week at the earliest.

Eriksson has remained tight-lipped on his dealings with former Thai prime minister Thaksin - with the club declining to reveal if the duo had met for discussions in Bangkok - but he was happy to smile and describe their relationship as "good".

However, Thaksin's mood is likely to have been soured by the defeat to the All-Stars - a representative side who had been training together for just one week - after an elaborate effort to entice Thai fans to adopt his club.

Thaksin opened a club store in Bangkok on Friday and reiterated his desire to turn City into a global brand, but the 65,000-capacity Rajamangala Stadium was sparsely populated during the so-called 'Super Match'.

City could retain a number of first-team regulars previously linked with moves - like England international Micah Richards - and attract further talent with the lure of European football at Eastlands.

"For the club to attract new players it's easier when we're playing in Europe, obviously," added Eriksson.

Sport in brief in Pictures

Don't Miss
Gala night for the Queen of arts - stars turn out in their hundreds to pay tribute

Happy & glorious

Stars turn out in their hundreds to pay tribute to Queen
Prints charming: patterned trousers for summer

Prints charming

Patterned trousers for summer
Promethipedia: the lowdown on Ridley Scott's new blockbuster Prometheus

Promethipedia

The lowdown on Ridley Scott's new blockbuster Prometheus
The Middletan: Kate Middleton has the most requested tan in London

The Middletan

Kate Middleton has the most requested tan in London
Amy Childs bares all like Britney

Dare to bare

Amy Childs vajazzles like Britney
Thais go Gaga: singer’s ‘fake rolex’ tweet sparks new tour row... but fans still mob her at airport

Thais go Gaga

Singer mobbed at airport
Trip the bright fantastic - in vertiginous neon

Fashion

Trip the bright fantastic - in vertiginous neon
Chelsea Champions League celebrations - in pictures

Victory parade

Chelsea Champions League celebrations
High-flying heroes

High flying heroes

David Oyelowo reveals all about new film Red Tails
The Twitter Diaries: Think Bridget Jones tries social networking

The Twitter Diaries

Think Bridget Jones tries social networking