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Eriksson may join Benfica

Eriksson may join Benfica

By Agence France Presse

Lisbon, May 8:

Sven-Goran Eriksson, expected to be ousted as Manchester City manager after just one season in charge, has been offered a three-year contract to manage his former club Benfica.

Benfica president Luis Filipe Vieira travelled to Manchester on Wednesday to hold talks with Eriksson and “formalise” an agreement, the A Bola newspaper said. But sports daily Record insisted that the deal “had still to be concluded”.

On his return to Lisbon Vieira declined to comment on Erikkson’s possible arrival at the club next season, Maisfutebol.com reported. A Bola suggested Benfica had targeted Eriksson after being turned down by Manchester United assistant coach Carlos Queiroz.

The Benfica coaching position became vacant following the resignation of Jose Antonio Camacho. Erikkson is no stranger to Benfica, the 60-year-old former England boss having managed the Lisbon side from 1982 to 1984 and then again for a three year spell from 1989.

Eriksson is widely expected to be fired by Manchester City’s Thai owner Thaksin Shinawatra after the club’s tour of Asia this month.