Sven keeps cool despite Bangkok defeat

Manchester City's European qualification seemed to relax manager Sven-Goran Eriksson - but the Swede continued to sidestep questions relating to the future.

The Blues, who discovered on Friday that they will play in the UEFA Cup next season courtesy of the fair play table, opened their post-season promotional tour of Asia with a 3-1 loss to Thailand Premier All-Stars in Bangkok on Saturday.

"The news about the UEFA Cup was extremely good news for the club," said Eriksson.

Speculation has engulfed the former England manager with club owner Thaksin Shinawatra conducting a review of the club which is set to be complete late next week at the earliest.

Eriksson has remained tight-lipped on his dealings with former Thai prime minister Thaksin - with the club declining to reveal if the duo had met for discussions in Bangkok - but he was happy to smile and describe their relationship as "good".

However, Thaksin's mood is likely to have been soured by the defeat to the All-Stars - a representative side who had been training together for just one week - after an elaborate effort to entice Thai fans to adopt his club.

Thaksin opened a club store in Bangkok on Friday and reiterated his desire to turn City into a global brand, but the 65,000-capacity Rajamangala Stadium was sparsely populated during the so-called 'Super Match'.

City could retain a number of first-team regulars previously linked with moves - like England international Micah Richards - and attract further talent with the lure of European football at Eastlands.

"For the club to attract new players it's easier when we're playing in Europe, obviously," added Eriksson.