Former England coach Sven Goran-Eriksson looks set to take the managerial reigns at Manchester City, though the deal can't officially go through until prospective new owner Thaksin Shinawatra has completed his proposed purchase of 75 percent of the club's shares, which is expected to happen now that City's board has recommended that shareholders accept the former Thailand Prime Minister's $163 million bid. The club wouldn't confirm Sven's pending arrival, although Thaksin's offer, estimated at $6 million for three years, should be accepted by the Swede in the next few days. The Times reports that Eriksson has contacted Roland Andersson, currently the Sweden national team assistant, about taking up an assistant role alongside him.
Thaksin's takeover attempt has given fresh scrutiny to the ongoing practice of foreign investment in and ownership of English clubs. In light of City's proposed takeover by the controversial Thaksin, who lives in exile in London and has been described by British Parliament as being "unsavory," Britain's Sports Minister Richard Caborn has called a meeting between himself, Treasury officials, and Premier League, Football League and Football Association executives to discuss standards for foreign ownership.
Caborn insists that commercialization and foreign investment are good for the English game, "but I think we have got to make sure the Premier League does not turn into a billionaires' playground," he said, adding that the group may implement a "fit and proper person test," for example.
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