Former Thai Prime Minister and Manchester City football chief Thaksin Shinawatra has hinted that Sven-Goran Eriksson has a job for life at Eastlands if he wants it.

City look a cracking bet at 25/1 to win the FA Cup with Bodog.

Swede Sven who of course used to manage England boss made a superbreturn to club management since being appointed by Thaksin in the summer. At one stage City were top of the Premiership and currently sit in fourth spot in the Barclays Premier League.

Thaksin told the British media: "I think Sven can remain our manager until he retires."

He added: "I really didn't expect the team would achieve this kind of level. But I did believe when I arrived that Manchester City could improve a lot.

"And you simply have to hand it to Sven who has done a marvellous job.

"He is a very good football strategist and he teaches the players well. His motivational ability is another important part of his game.

"We consider him as a world-class manager. There are not many of them in football but Sven is certainly one of them."

Eriksson is emerging as a real cult figure in Manchester. Drive around town and you will notice big billboards with a half concealed photograph of the Swede that stats "Old Blue Eyes is back".