Eriksson parts company with City

Former England manager Sven-Göran Eriksson has parted company with Manchester City FC, the club confirmed this morning. Blackburn Rovers FC have revealed that they have given their manager Mark Hughes permission to talk to City about the vacant post.

'Amazing support'
In a statement, City said Eriksson had departed by "mutual consent", though it has been common knowledge since April that the club's owner Thaksin Shinawatra has been poised to replace the Swede. Eriksson said: "I have enjoyed my time at Manchester City very much indeed and in particular, I would like to thank the fans, players and staff for their amazing support over the season." No announcement has been made concerning a replacement for the 60-year-old who took charge of the club last summer.

'Friend'
Eriksson guided City to ninth in his one season in charge, their highest-ever finish in the Premier League, and into the UEFA Cup via the UEFA Fair Play ranking. He was a popular figure among the club's supporters and the Blue's chief executive Alistair Mackintosh said: "The board of directors and all at Manchester City would like to thank Sven for his efforts and contributions throughout the season. We wish him well for the future. Sven remains a friend of the club." 

Success
As manager of England, Eriksson guided his side to the quarter-finals of the 2002 and 2006 FIFA World Cups as well as to the last eight at UEFA EURO 2004™. He first came to prominence with IFK Göteborg, winning the 1981/82 UEFA Cup and went on to enjoy spells at SL Benfica (twice), AS Roma, ACF Fiorentina and UC Sampdoria. His career really took off, though, upon joining S.S. Lazio in 1997 where he claimed the Coppa Italia twice, the 1998/99 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup and, in 1999/00, the second Scudetto in the Rome side's history.