Former England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson has agreed in principle to take over as manager of Manchester City on a three-year contract, Sky Sports News reported on Tuesday.
The English Premier League club would not comment on the report but a source denied the Swede has signed a contract with City, who are in the throes of a takeover by former Thai Premier Thaksin Shinawatra.
Thaksin said last week he expected to reveal more of his plans, including the club's next manager, once he had built up a 75 percent stake. He hoped to reach that target this week.
Eriksson, 59, has been out of football since he stepped down from his England job after the 2006 World Cup in Germany and has been out of the club game since leaving Lazio in January 2001.
He would replace Stuart Pearce, who was sacked in May.
Thaksin has tabled an 81.6 million pounds ($163.1 million) bid and described Eriksson, whom he said he had met recently, as having "a very good reputation and he's very capable".
Tuesday's report followed comments by Sweden's assistant coach Roland Andersson that he had been approached by Eriksson for a possible coaching job at City under his compatriot.
"We have been in touch over the last few days and Sven-Goran has said that he is considering an offer to join Manchester City as a manager," Andersson said in a statement on the Swedish FA's web site (www.svenskfotboll.se).
"It is correct that we have discussed a possible job for me in the club...(But) As far as I know, Sven-Goran has not signed a deal with Manchester City and therefore there is no specific offer for me to take a stand on."
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