The City Beat

There are three big stories with a Manchester City FC link in the news at the moment.

Firstly there is the potential new owner, Thaksin Shinawatra, former prime minister of Thailand. Someone whom you might at first glance think would have some ideal qualities - understanding of leadership, a man of the world, who knows when to play the political game and can make things happen. Unfortunately, whilst he may or may not have some of these qualities, what has actually attracted attention is that he is facing corruption charges in his homeland. He asserts that this is no bar to his ownership bid however. Presumably his expectation is that a prison cell is an excellent position from which to run a Premiership football club, what will all that time on your hands to think and plan.

Then there is the very very loud rumour that Sven-Goran Eriksson will be the next manager there. And of course he has not been without controversy. Not only heavy criticism from various quarters about the way he managed (or mismanaged according to your perspective) the England team, but also two high profile affairs, one with Ulrika Jonsson and one with Faria Alum.

Finally, Stuart Pearce, former MCFC manager who manages the England under 21 team on a part-time basis is hotly tipped to be offered the role on a full time basis.

So now you know.