MANCHESTER (AFP) - Manchester City manager Sven-Goran Eriksson believes owner Thaksin Shinawatra, who has returned to his native Thailand to face corruption charges, will continue to support the Premier League club.The 58-year-old former Thai Prime Minister, who became City's owner before the start of the season, was taken into custody on Thursday by police after his arrival in Bangkok from Hong Kong.Thaksin was ordered to post bail of 281,000 dollars and ordered not to leave the country without permission before his trial on corruption charges, due to start on March 12.On the flight to Thailand, Thaksin told reporters of his ambitions for City, saying: "It is my investment", adding he hoped the club could become a global brand like cross-town rivals Manchester United.Club spokesman Paul Tyrrell said Thaksin wanted City to qualify for Europe this season and move into the lucrative Champions League within three years.City are lying eighth in the table, six points behind Everton in the fourth spot which guarantees Champions League qualification.Eriksson is keen to fulfil the owner's dreams although the club could do with a win against Wigan on Saturday after taking a mere seven points from a possible 21."Thaksin has already given us what he promised in (transfer funds) in July, August and January," said Eriksson."His support and his involvement with Thailand, I do not think has anything to do with the club," the former England manager added."Every time I meet him and the people working for him, it is the same. They want City to be bigger and better. He wants to create one of the biggest clubs in the world - and I hope that happens, of course."To do that we need many things. But one thing which is very important is to play in Europe next season, either in the Champions League or UEFA Cup."We have a new team and need to give them experience at that level. It would be good for our future."But in the short-term City must do without Micah Richards for six weeks after the England defender had a knee operation."It is really bad news and big blow," said Eriksson. "Everyone knows how important he is to us."He had an operation yesterday (Wednesday), and our medical people tell me he is quick healer - so maybe he might be back before then, but we will have to wait and see."Martin Petrov will also miss the Wigan match as he will be starting a three-match ban for being sent-off in Monday's defeat against Everton.jdg/dj08Fbl-ENG-Pr-ManCity-Thailand-politics-Thaksin-Eriksson
2008-02-28 22:22:03
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