Man City to decide Eriksson's future

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Premier League club Manchester City will decide on the future of their manager Sven-Goran Eriksson in just over two weeks, according to an advisor to owner Thaksin Shinawatra.

Pairoj Piempongsant, a prominent Thai businessman actively involved in recruiting players for City, said the club was still pursuing former world player of the year Ronaldinho and would make a decision on both he and Eriksson by June 15.

"The negotiations must be complete by June 15, which include the team manager," Pairoj told the Thai-language Thansettakij newspaper.

Thaksin, the ousted former Thai prime minister, is undertaking a "technical review" of the club, which could see former England manager Eriksson axed after less than a year in charge.

Reports of his imminent dismissal have upset players and prompted an angry response from City fans, who have questioned Thaksin's knowledge of football and motives for buying the club.

Thaksin gave no comment on Wednesday when asked by reporters about Eriksson's future.

Pairoj added that City were relentless in their pursuit of Ronaldinho and had urged him to choose them over Italian giants AC Milan and Inter.

He met Ronaldinho's brother and agent, Roberto de Assis Moreira, in Bangkok last week.

Pairoj said Ronaldinho had already won major honours and joining a smaller club would give him "a new challenge".