Eriksson ready for City exit

Sven-Goran Eriksson believes his brief reign as Manchester City manager could be over on Monday.

Eriksson's side suffered an humiliating 8-1 at Middlesbrough on Sunday as the Swede's first season with Premier League club ended in dismal fashion.

The former England coach already appeared certain to be forced to leave Eastlands in the close-season after the club's Thai owner Thaksin Shinawatra expressed his displeasure at City's disappointing form in the second half of the season.

But City's woeful display is likely to speed Thaksin's decision to axe Eriksson. Even the Swede, who has guided City to ninth - their best final position since 2005, admitted he expected a call from the former Thai Prime Minister to confirm his fate sooner rather than later.

"To live in the unsecure is never good for anyone but I hope to not be living in the unsecure very soon, within hours," Eriksson said.

"I expect to speak to people - or they speak to me - from the owners' side but I have had no answer (about the future) yet."

Asked when he expected to speak to Thaksin, Eriksson, speaking after Sunday's defeat, said: "Now, as soon as I have finished here I hope."

Sapa-AFP