Grip expects Sven exit

Grip accuses Shinawatra of lack of patience

Last updated: 29th April 2008

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Grip: Eriksson's right-hand man

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Sven-Goran Eriksson's right-hand man Tord Grip expects them both to leave Manchester City at the end of the season.

The former England manager's future at City is up in the air after Eriksson's agent conceded it looked likely he would be leaving the club.

Eriksson held talks with City owner Thaksin Shinawatra and reports suggest the Swede was informed he would be sacked at the end of the season.

Shinawatra recently publicly criticised Eriksson following City's slump in form in the second half of the campaign after a bright start to their campaign.

Grip, who is part of Eriksson's backroom staff at Eastlands, is shocked that Shinawatra wants to replace Eriksson and has accused the City owner of showing a lack of patience.

"We are left with the two games. They probably think we've done a poor job," Grip told Sportbladet.

"We think we've done it well. It has been going a little bit worse after Christmas but it's always going up and down in the football and the Premier league is a marathon. It takes time to build up a team."

Patience

When asked if Shinawatra was showing a lack of patience, Grip said: "I would think that it has something to do with that"

If Eriksson does lose his job at City, Grip says his fellow Swede will not be short of offers from other clubs.

"No [more news] it has happened so fast," added Grip.

How sad am I BTW?

here it is.

I would like to express my dismay and disappointment at the latest round of comments and press speculation surrounding the position of Sven Goran Eriksson and his position as manager of Manchester City. To think that after guiding the club to our highest points tally ever in the premiership era, delighting the fans with the best football we have seen for a number of years and substantially improving the playing staff in terms of quality and age profile, Sven would be on the brink of losing his job is in my view unthinkable.

I was delighted when Dr Thaksin completed his take over of my City. I was at first sceptical over the choice of Sven but when the season started I quickly changed my mind. I always thought that perhaps we had caught some of our opponents cold during the early season and thought that perhaps our league form would re-align itself however the early season form dared me to dream.

Yes I have been disappointed over our post Christmas form on occaision however we have never lost our footballing principles and despite a glut of injuries continued to perform reasonably well including an Old Trafford victory for the first time since I was 1 years old ( I am now 35).

If the reportedly agreed target has been acheived for this season i.e. a top 10 finish then it is ludicrous to suggest that Sven has been a failure and I firmly beleive he should remain in charge to continue the good work he has achieved.

This sorry week in the history of Manchester City reminds me strongly of the sacking of Peter Reid, an scenario that I thought Manchester City had left behind.

I am deeply disappointed that our Club is being dragged through the gutter press again when stability is what is required, coupled with further investment to achieve our European and Champions League goals within the next 2 years.

I hope Dr Shinawatra knows what he is doing becuase all evidence at present suggest that perhaps he does not.

^{_{I gave Elano my Porsche and now I want it back!}}

Manchester City have this afternoon released the following statement in response to press speculation surrounding the Club.

Manchester City spokesman Paul Tyrrell said: "Dr Thaksin Shinawatra recently stated that there would be a full review of the club at the end of the season. The situation remains the same. Sven-Goran Eriksson, the players, board and staff of the football club are fully focused on the two remaining games of the current campaign."

Manager Sven-Goran Eriksson confirmed in his regular weekly media briefing, "The Chairman and I spoke at the weekend, but I do not wish to comment any further. The game with Liverpool on Sunday is most important and we are working very hard to prepare properly for the trip to Anfield and our final game of the season at Middlesbrough."

Sven also confirmed that skipper Richard Dunne will be available for Sunday's game after recovering from the hamstring injury that kept him out of the defeat to Fulham.

--------------------------------------------------

We're on a mission from God

here's mine!!

I would like to make a suggestion. If laceName w:st="on">ManchesterlaceName> laceType w:st="on">CitylaceType> football club are to build a successful club and win things they need to be patient and build on the progress made this season. Football does not spring miracles overnight or one season and you only need to look at the successful teams in the premier league to see this.

Having a managerial merry go round, does not build sustainability or success and as an avid fan of the club, I would like to ask for common sense to prevail and hope that the rumors in the press are not true and this great club builds next year on the success of this year. I like thousands of other was extremely frustrated by Saturdays performance, but these things happen and we have to learn from it.

I hope that Sven will be with us next season, building on the good work and results achieved this year. I would like to thank him for exciting football and two derby wins (first in over 30 years at OT) this season hope he can repeat it next year too.

Feliz Año Neuvo

I agree with that, as I've said elsewhere - I'm not panicking until there is something official (and by that I don't mean the wishy-washy, issue-dodging statement put out by the club today).  But not only am I sceptical about there being some Eureka moment when we see what Frank has had in mind all along (e.g. we've got someone better lined up), I just don't believe that a valid, sensible reason for getting rid of Sven actually exists.  To me, getting rid of Sven right now = bad move, no matter who comes in or what reason is given; keeping him = right thing to do. 

It all boils down to whether or not these rumours are true, really, but the sheer number of them makes it very hard to believe that the outcome isn't inevitable.

Keeper of the heretic's fork of doom.

Nedum Onuoha has become the latest Manchester City player to offer 100 per cent support to under-pressure manager Sven Goran Eriksson.

It is believed that Eriksson - who took up the City reins in July last year - is heading for the Eastlands exit in the summer after a disappointing second half to the season, despite steering the club to their highest Premier League points tally.

Eriksson met with City owner Thaksin Shinawatra at the weekend and it is believed he was told that he would be relieved of his duties at the end of the season.

However, City players Micah Richards and Michael Ball recently gave their backing to Eriksson and England Under 21 defender Onuoha has become the latest to sound his encouragement to the Swede.

"Definitely," Onuoha told Sky Sports News when asked if Eriksson enjoyed 100 per cent support in the City dressing room.

Surprise

"From where I am, he has done a very good job this year. So for something like this to come out, it has really caught me off guard.

"He has got support everywhere. You could ask the people of Manchester and around England and they would probably support him as well.

"I don't really understand what is going on, but hopefully in the next few days we'll have a clearer picture.

"Hopefully he won't go. But you just don't really know in football. We will have to keep an eye on it and see what happens.

"You can't really see it coming and then it is as if he has had his worst ever season."

Influence

Eriksson has also steered City to two victories over derby rivals Manchester United this term and Onuoha has praised the influence of the former England chief.

"We are a more attacking team than we have been in the past," added Onuoha. "No disrespect to previous managers. We used to attack, but I think our main foundations were the defence.

"Now we have a more attacking mentality. The fans enjoy watching us more. He has brought more positive things to the club.

"He has given everyone belief. Everyone that is in the team, he has always shown a lot of confidence in them. He will bring players into the team when he knows they can help them out.

"He has given me a lot of opportunities this season when the team has been playing well, so I have really appreciated it."

Feliz Año Neuvo