SVEN GORAN ERIKSSON insists he will stick around for the long term and finish his project at Manchester City.

Owner Thaksin Shinawatra laid down a three-year plan for the former England manager to lead the club into the Champions League.

Eriksson has two more years to achieve that but would love to be the man who finally brings silverware to Eastlands.

Despite a recent blip, City are still in the frame for Europe as they travel to relegation strugglers Birmingham today.

Eriksson said: “I’m not saying that I want a new contract but of course I can see myself staying a long time. I like it here very much — apart from the weather.

“I like it because it’s a project. It’s something that we all want to do well together in. I’m in the Premier League, I’m at a big club. I am very happy here.

“Will I need more than two years to bring success? That could happen but we still have two years to go.”

Eriksson has won plenty during his managerial career, including titles with Italian side Lazio and Portuguese outfit Benfica.

Physical battle

He added: “Winning trophies in football is one of the best things you can do. If trophies come here it would be even better than to win with Benfica.

"It would give me great satisfaction because we know we are working with a club that hasn’t won anything for a very long time.

“If you can win with a club like that it is worth more than at a club like Benfica, who are supposed to win trophies every year.”

Eriksson, meanwhile, believes his City signings have toughened up as they prepare for another physical battle at St Andrew’s.

Some have suggested his foreign stars have not fancied the rough stuff in recent weeks but they stood up well to Bolton last week.

The Swede said: “We’ve struggled to play good football against teams who use their physique. But they know that in every game you have to stand up to 50-50 tackles.

“These players will know what the Premier League is all about after one season — sometimes it’s a battle.

“And the team is still keen to fight for Europe. These last seven games are very important for us.”