Eriksson prepares for what could be last game with Man City

MANCHESTER, England (AP) -Manchester City manager Sven-Goran Eriksson is preparing for Sunday's match at Middlesbrough to be his last with the club.

The Swede is consigned to being fired by disgruntled owner Thaksin Shinawatra despite the outcry from City supporters.

"I will have emotions about it,'' Eriksson said Friday ahead of the Premier League finale. "As the situation is today it's a possibility (that he won't be back), but nothing is confirmed.

"It's not a secret for anyone in the world of football today - let's see.''

Despite sitting in fourth place mid-season before a long slump, Eriksson said he is satisfied with the team's top-10 finish.

"I think it's been a successful season,'' Eriksson said. "We came in and bought a lot of new players. I know we have not played brilliant football in all 37 games, but many times we have played very well.

"It's a new, young team and we are in the right side of the table.''

Despite meeting Thaksin's preseason target, the former Thai prime minister isn't satisfied, and has expressed disappointment at missing out on European play.

"In our case it's not realistic to qualify for the Champions League,'' Eriksson said. "We are good but not that good. We don't have a squad up to Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea or Manchester United.

"That's a fact everyone knows.''

Ironically, City could still end up playing in Europe next season. UEFA said Friday that England will get an extra club in next season's UEFA Cup after topping European soccer's Fair Play league. It will go to the highest placed team in the Premier League's own Fair Play rankings not already qualified for European competition - and that currently is Manchester City.

Eriksson wouldn't discuss his future directly, or his meeting in Manchester earlier this week with a delegation from Portuguese club Benfica.

"I know there has been a lot of speculation, but that's speculation,'' he said. "But effectively we will know next week.''

When Eriksson entered Friday's news conference and noticed the larger-than-usual attendance from around the world, he quipped: "Is it the Champions League final?''

Eriksson departed to applause - a sign of the stature regained after ending his five-year stint with England after the 2006 World Cup against the backdrop of widespread hostility among British fans.

"Football is great, life is great because it's never boring,'' he said. "I just have to accept it and see what's coming out and in less than one week.''