Thaksin Looking To Buy Manchester City For 6 Billion Baht

[sriracha john]

Manchester City gives Thaksin deadline

England's Premier League Manchester City are giving ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra 48 hours to close the deal to take over the club - or the big sale is off.

London-based Mirror online reported that Thaksin is trying to clear the final hurdle to buy the club but time will run out Friday night.

Man City have been in talks with Thaksin for over a month.

Thaksin has to find around 30million pounds to pay off the debt to one of the companies who have lent money to City.

- The Nation

[sriracha john]

Manchester City may be squeezing Thaksin

The Daily Mirror newspaper of London says Manchester City Football Club officials have given prospective owner Thaksin Shinawatra 48 hours to buy - or the deal is off. There was no confirmation of that ultimatum from any sources, however. The Daily Mirror's exclusive story remained exclusive 12 hours after it appeared in print. In Bangkok, Mr Thaksin's lawyer Nopaddon Pattama told the French news agency AFP that so far as he knows, everything is going fine. "So far I learn that the deal is proceeding well," Mr Nopaddon said. "I can't give any details on this issue. Thaksin instructed me not to talk about this matter unless it's final. "I think when the deal is concluded, we will have a press conference here (in Bangkok), he said." The Mirror says unless a deal is done within 48 hours the club will call the talks off.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=119286

[Plus]

The story is not in the Nation anymore, nor the web version, nor paper.

[A_Traveller]

News item is still on the Nation site, but you have to search for it. This is mostly because the Nation site does not provide an auto list of past headlines, only 'most popular'.

Regards

Manchester City Article

[dave111223]

I don't reckon Thaksin will come up with the dough.

It is starting to look like what the skeptics have said from the start; that this is a big publicity stunt.

I can just see the way the Thaksin camp will spin it though "Current government blocked the transfer of funds for the deal...etc...etc...".

[sriracha john]

Wardle willing to hand over £30million

Manchester City chairman John Wardle will boost the club's transfer funds by £30million if Thaksin Shinawatra's takeover fails.

City's board are already vowing to pump £30million from the new Premier League television deal into the coffers and Wardle has offered to top up that figure if more funds are needed under the condition Shinawatra's bid is unsuccessful.

After offloading bad-boy Joey Barton to Newcastle, Wardle's funds would enable whoever is in charge next season to build a side capable of improving on their 14th-placed finish last term.

City's board have never been slow in coming forward with funds for previous managers, with Stuart Pearce spending over £10 million on the captures of flops Bernardo Corradi and Giorgios Samaras, and Wardle is willing to open the cheque book once again providing he is still at the top next season.

As of yet there are no details of how much Shinawatra will be willing to handover for new players, but it is believed his takeover could go through as early as next week with the board confident he will be successful.

- Clubcall

[sriracha john]

Birmingham buyer

A mystery Far East businessman will fly in for talks with Birmingham City owners David Sullivan and the Gold brothers this week regarding a takeover at St Andrew’s.

Sources close to the club have ruled out a bid by former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra — who is currently in talks with Manchester City — as rumours swept Birmingham yesterday following weekend reports that the club was to be sold.

Sullivan refused to comment when asked, insisting that he would make any statement via the Stock Exchange this morning.

The club’s owners have long maintained that they would move on if the price was right and Sullivan’s disaffection with the game means that he and the Gold brothers would be more than willing sellers.

He has become increasingly interested in pursuing his horse racing ambitions and no longer feels able to devote the time or energy needed at the club.

Birmingham managing director Karren Brady recently failed with an attempt to relocate the club away from St Andrew’s after a bid for funding from a Las Vegasbased company, who were interested in opening a supercasino, fell through.

Although Birmingham have received other tentative offers this summer — most notably from an Indian consortium — this latest approach seems to carry far more credibility.

- Daily Mail (UK)

[sriracha john]

Thaksin closing in on Manchester City: Lawyer

BANGKOK - Thailand's deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra is nearing a deal to buy the English Premier League club Manchester City, his lawyer said Monday.

"The negotiations are underway, in line with English law. The result is likely to be good, and the negotiations should not take a long time," Noppadol Pattama told reporters.

If the talks are successful, Thaksin would have to seek permission from the Bank of Thailand to transfer money from Bangkok to pay for the deal, estimated at around 100 million pounds (197 million dollars), the lawyer said.

"We will strictly follow the rules and ask permission from the Bank of Thailand, filing papers that clearly support the purchase. It depends on the Bank of Thailand, but we hope to receive fair consideration."

Noppadol said Thailand's political situation had not affected Thaksin's talks with the team's owners. "It is a business deal. They are discussing based on the details of a business deal."

Thaksin, 57, is considered the front-runner in the Manchester City takeover. He was ousted by a military coup in September last year and currently lives in London.

Thaksin said last week that he wanted to buy the team to inspire Asian children to seize their opportunities in life.

- AFP

==============

Sounds like the money is in Thailand, afterall.

[sriracha john]

Manchester City asks potential buyer Thaksin for explanation over frozen assets

MANCHESTER, England: Manchester City has asked ousted Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra about the prospects of his proposed buyout of the Premier League club after reports that some of his assets have been frozen in his homeland.

Thaksin, who was deposed in a bloodless coup in September, is in negotiations with City over a proposed takeover.

But an anti-corruption panel in Thailand on Monday ordered more than 52 billion baht (US$1.6 billion; €1.2 billion) in assets belonging to Thaksin and his wife to be frozen pending court rulings on whether the assets were illicitly obtained.

Responding to the reports from Bangkok, City issued a statement to the London Stock Exchange saying it had asked Thaksin for an explanation.

"On 1 May 2007, Dr. Thaksin Shinawatra confirmed that he had made an indicative proposal that may or may not lead to an offer for the company," the statement read.

"The board notes the information emanating out of Thailand today in respect of Dr. Shinawatra and the freezing of his assets. The board and its advisers are in discussion with Dr. Shinawatra's advisers to confirm the implications of these developments in respect of their client's interest in potentially making an offer for the company.

"These discussions and those between the company and other interested parties may or may not lead to an offer being made for the company."

- Associated Press

[sriracha john]

Asset freeze leaves City takeover in fresh doubt

Manchester City were last night seeking assurances from Thaksin Shinawatra that his proposed £90m takeover is not on the brink of collapse after Thailand's military rulers froze assets totalling £830m from the former prime minister.

Representatives for Thaksin, who hoped to lodge an official bid for control of City this week, have told the Independent that the decision will not derail his attempts to purchase the club and that he remains resolute a deal can be struck with the City chairman John Wardle.

City officials, however, have requested written evidence the 57-year-old retains the financial means to proceed with a takeover and, such is the unease within the club over the ruling, have taken over the search for a new manager.

A committee investigating claims of corruption during Thaksin's premiership concluded the ousted leader had "committed wrongdoings" and issued orders to freeze two accounts belonging to him.

The first relates to 21 accounts holding money from the controversial sale of Thaksin's telecommunications company, Shin Corp, which stirred the unrest that led to a bloodless military coup in September last year, and the second froze an unspecified number of accounts the couple held in Bangkok.

Thaksin's lawyer claimed the ruling was part of an orchestrated campaign to discredit the controversial businessman, whose successors in power last month ordered his Thai Rak Thai party to be dissolved and banned him from politics for five years.

"It is a political decision that is legally baseless," claimed Noppadol Pattama. "The aim is to prevent the ex-PM and his wife from running their own lives."

That theory is supported by those involved in his City takeover attempt, who claim the military rulers are fearful of the popularity Thaksin could attract in a football-obsessed nation should he gain control of an established English club. It is also understood Thaksin, now living in exile in London, has substantial personal wealth based outside Thailand and therefore beyond the remit of yesterday's order by its Assets Examination Committee.

Those claims have not allayed the sense of alarm within City, however, and it is significant that they are seeking the successor to Stuart Pearce as manager when the Thais had been charged with responsibility for that until yesterday.

Despite mounting concerns over the current direction of the club, with new signings unable to be pursued and the future of several current players uncertain, City have always expected the takeover process to continue until next month, although they are demanding immediate clarification from Thaksin.

- The Independent (UK)

[sriracha john]

CITY DEAL IN CHAOS

MANCHESTER CITY'S hopes of a £150million takeover lay in ruins last night after the assets of prospective buyer Thaksin Shinawatra were frozen by the Thai government.

City had hoped to complete the protracted takeover this week after fresh assurances that the former Thai prime minister and his London-based financial advisors had the money to proceed with the deal.

But talk of a buy-out - and a £50m fund for the new City boss to spend on players - looked doomed last night yesterday after the Thai ruling authorities froze Thaksin's assets at home and abroad. And City appeared resigned to accepting the Thaksin deal had collapsed after chief executive Alistair Mackintosh last night took on the job of finding a new manager, a role previously filled by those acting on behalf of the Thai consortium.

The seizure of Thaksin's estimated £830m assets and bank accounts also stretches to his family and friends, who were among those involved in the ill-fated takeover plan which has dragged on for weeks.

City chairman John Wardle, embarrassed and frustrated by the slow progress of the Thai bid and by this latest bombshell, has ordered negotiations with other parties to be stepped up.

- The Mirror (UK)

[tijnebijn]

I am not so sure if Thaksin is not able any more to buy City.because his asets in Thailand are frozen not necessarilly means he has got no money to buy for.These Shin Corp sales are on the deposits of his chidren right?And I read that before they had frozen his bank accounts here ,there were several billions allready been transferred ...etcetc.And it will not surprise me either that he allready had even more allready on offshore accounts.And is it not that he negotiations are also with other byers combined to invest in City with Thaksin as chairman?Knowing Thaksin a little bit ,I think he has allready calculated everything allready before he thought to make a bid at City.maybe I am wrong ,maybe not!

[Briggsy]

This is the third Premier League club (Fulham, Liverpool, Man City) that Thaksin has said he was gonna buy and then didn't. When are the press gonna wake up to the fact that he is a liar. Why do they swallow his untruths so enthusiastically? And repeatedly?

[sriracha john]

Thaksin may seek extension of Manchester City bid after seizure

Ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra may seek more time to complete his bid for Manchester City after graft busters ordered freezing of his and his family's wealth, Thaksin's spokesman Noppodon Pattama said Tuesday.

The orders to impound Thaksin's assetswon't affect his intentions to buy the Premier League club, Noppadon told a press conference.

Thaksin, who has been living in exile since the military overthrew him in a September coup, may ask for the bid deadline to be extended.

"We still hope it won't affect the bid. Thaksin still wants to buy Manchester City," he said.

Most of Thaksin's and his family's assets were frozen by investigators, raising doubts about his ability to fund the takeover.

Thaksin was banned from politics for five years by a Constitutional Tribunal on May 30 for electoral fraud. The tribunal also disbanded his Thai Rak Thai party.

Manchester City said in a statement earlier on Monday it was talking to Thaksin's advisers "to confirm the implications of these developments in respect of their client's interest in potentially making an offer for the company.''

In the statement, City confirmed that they were uncertain as to the implications of Monday's development.

"The board notes the information emanating out of Thailand today in respect of Dr Shinawatra and the freezing of his assets," read a statement issued by the club.

"The board and its advisers are in discussion with Dr Shinawatra's advisers to confirm the implications of these developments in respect of their client's interest in potentially making an offer for the company.

"These discussions and those between the company and other interested parties may or may not lead to an offer being made for the company."

- The Nation

[mrbojangles]

This is the third Premier League club (Fulham, Liverpool, Man City) that Thaksin has said he was gonna buy and then didn't. When are the press gonna wake up to the fact that he is a liar. Why do they swallow his untruths so enthusiastically? And repeatedly?

It's not fallen through yet. According to the BBC. But we'll see.

From the BBC's website:-

Thaksin still keen on City deal

Thaksin was previously linked with a takeover at Liverpool

Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is still keen to take over Manchester City despite having his bank accounts frozen, says his lawyer.

On Monday Thaksin had 21 family bank accounts frozen by investigators in Thailand who are looking at allegations of corruption against him.

"It will not affect his intention to buy the club," said Noppadon Pattama.

"This could delay any investment but I don't think we'll have a problem. We intend to carry on with the deal."

The 57-year-old, who was previously linked with a takeover of Liverpool, has spent much of his time in London since being ousted from power in a bloodless military coup last year.

He submitted a bid to buy City last month and was then granted access to the club's accounts.

But the lack of any progress on the proposed deal has already led to the club missing out on former Chelsea boss Claudio Ranieiri to fill their managerial vacancy.

"It was difficult to say no to the big project at Manchester City - but the team have not been taken over yet and for me I cannot wait for one week more," said Ranieri, after opting to join Juventus instead.

Former City player Ray Ranson also expressed interest in buying the club, but withdrew his offer at the end of May

[Jai Dee]

Man City sale 'close to collapse'

Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's bid to take over Manchester City is on the verge of collapse, BBC Sport understands.

His Thai bank accounts have been frozen by anti-corruption investigators and his overseas assets are under threat.

"He's in London having talks with his advisors who until now were satisfied that he had the funds," said BBC Five Live's Jonathan Legard.

"Clearly there exists serious doubts that he has the means to proceed."

Earlier in the day, Thaksin's lawyer Noppadon Pattama admitted the seizure of family bank accounts "could delay any investment" but claimed it would not affect plans to go through with the purchase.

But the BBC understands the City board had already braced themselves for bad news following the delays to the bid and may soon run out of patience.

Thaksin, 57, who was previously linked with a takeover of Liverpool, has spent much of his time in London since being ousted from power in a bloodless military coup last year.

He submitted a bid to buy Premiership side City last month and was then granted access to the club's accounts.

But the lack of any progress on the proposed deal has already led to the club missing out on former Chelsea boss Claudio Ranieri to fill their managerial vacancy.

He was tipped to take over from Stuart Pearce, who was sacked at the end of the 2006/7 campaign, but opted to join Serie A side Juventus instead.

Former City player Ray Ranson also expressed interest in buying the club but withdrew his offer at the end of May.

Source: BBC - 13 June 2007

[sriracha john]

City step up Ramos pursuit after Thaksin deal stalls

As Manchester City came to terms yesterday with the seemingly imminent collapse of the takeover bid by Thaksin Shinawatra, the former Prime Minister of Thailand, the emphasis shifted away from outside investment and towards the pressing matter of appointing a new manager, with their shortlist headed by Juande Ramos, the highly-rated Seville coach, but also including Chris Coleman, out of work since his departure from Fulham.

Ramos is regarded as the No 1 target, particularly given the level of interest shown by him, or at least his representatives, who first approached City two weeks ago. Discussions have already taken place through intermediaries, with indications that Ramos, 52, retains an interest despite the serious problems with the Thaksin bid. His first priority after the Spanish league campaign ends on Sunday is to listen to Seville’s plans for next season, which include offering him a new contract, but he has nevertheless indicated a keenness to talk to City.

What is clear is that, with little prospect of the Thaksin bid proceeding any time soon and with the club having no interest in resuming discussions with Ray Ranson, another would-be investor, City will require further investment from John Wardle, the chairman. There were indications last night that Wardle and his business partner, David Makin, could make more than £20 million available to a new manager, which is one reason why the job is attracting such interest from Ramos and Sven-Göran Eriksson, the former England head coach.

Coleman, dismissed by Fulham in April, remains a distant candidate for now, but having expressed a firm interest, he will be given the chance to impress Wardle and Alistair Mackintosh, the chief executive, at an interview.

City have not abandoned all hope of striking an agreement with Thaksin, but, after his assets were frozen by an anticorruption committee in Bangkok on Monday, there is a recognition on both sides that the deal almost certainly cannot proceed in the immediate future. Thaksin and his advisers, Seymour Pierce, were last night exploring ways to raise the necessary funds and will resume discussions this morning, but in the meantime Wardle and Mackintosh have reclaimed the initiative in the search for a new manager.

- Times Online (UK)

[sriracha john]

Manchester City in talks with Thaksin camp

BEIJING, June 13 -- Manchester City said on Monday they were in talks with advisers to former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra regarding his proposed takeover of the English Premier League club following a freeze on his assets.

Thailand's army-backed government said on Monday it would seize 21 bank accounts with assets worth 52.9 billion baht (1.53 billion U.S. dollars) from Thaksin and his wife.

The announcement by the Asset Examination Committee (AEC), set up after a September coup against Thaksin, followed months of investigations into alleged corruption during his five years in office.

No charges have been filed in court, but the AEC said in a statement it had come to the conclusion that "Thaksin and his cronies had been corrupt and committed wrongdoings". Thaksin, who has not been allowed to return to Thailand since the bloodless coup, confirmed on May 1 that he had made a proposal that may lead to an offer for City.

His lawyer Noppadon Pattama said later in May that Thaksin had made a formal bid for the Premier League club and hoped to complete a takeover by early June.

Following Monday's news of a freeze on Thaksin's assets, City issued a statement to the Stock Exchange which was published on the club's official website.

"The Board notes the information emanating out of Thailand today in respect of Dr Shinawatra and the freezing of his assets," the statement said.

"The Board and its advisers are in discussion with Dr Shinawatra's advisers to confirm the implications of these developments in respect of their client's interest in potentially making an offer for the company."

British newspapers yesterday said the assets freeze cast doubt on whether the takeover, which has been estimated by Thai media at 100 million pounds (196.8 million dollars), would go ahead.

However, Noppadon was quoted in the Daily Telegraph as saying: "The negotiations are underway, in line with English law. The result is likely to be good, and the negotiations should not take a long time."

- China Daily

[A_Traveller]

If I were Manchester City, I'd be looking at the original proposal which, at least in public, implied that Thaksin was part of a consortium to buy. In this case what happened to the others, or just for once {shook horror probe} was Thaksin going to use his own money.

Regards

[sriracha john]

Manchester City sets Friday deadline for Thaksin

Manchester City want to hear by Friday over Thaksin Shinawatra's ability to buyout the club.

With former Thai prime minister Thaksin's assets frozen by his government, sources close to his bankers Seymour Pearce last night revealed that they are trying "one more throw of the dice" to find the cash to fund the takeover, says the Daily Mail.

City have asked for assurances that the freeze will not affect his bid, with a deadline of this Friday.

- tribalfooball.com

[sriracha john]

English football club Manchester City deal is 'On the Ropes'

Thaksin's takeover bid likely to be sunk by directorship provision

Ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra's proposed 90 million pounds (Bt5.7 billion) takeover of Manchester City faces another obstacle after it emerged that the Premier League would implement "fit-and-proper-persons" regulations if he was convicted of fraud in Thailand, The Guardian website reported yesterday.

The British daily quoted a source close to Thaksin admitting the deal was "on the ropes".

Every board member or controlling shareholder of a Premier League club must sign a "director's declaration" stating whether he or she has convictions for fraud, theft, corruption or associated offences.

Clubs with a director who has such convictions are barred from competing in the League until the individual concerned severs those links with the club.

The daily said Thaksin had been granted 60 days to present evidence to an anti-corruption committee in Thailand to prove that his wealth - principally generated from the Bt73-billion tax-free sale to the Singaporean investment group Temasek of his family's stake in Shin Corp telecom group - had been earned legally.

The committee will then refer its findings to the courts.

The Premier League introduced a "fit and proper persons test" in August 2004. Chief executive Richard Scudamore said at the time: "The fit and proper persons test puts football club directors in the Premier League under a far more rigorous test than ordinary company law."

The fact that Thaksin might already have completed his purchase of City would not prevent "retrospective action" by the Premier League, it said.

The Guardian said Thaksin and his representatives spent yesterday in a series of top-level meetings to discuss the freezing of his bank balances and other financial assets.

It quoted his lawyer, Michael Goldberg, saying the 57-year-old would "vigorously evaluate all international options to protect his rights and interests".

"The junta is committed to finding means to circumvent any rule of law to persecute Dr Thaksin, his family, his friends and his business activities," Goldberg continued.

"The junta's attacks on Dr Thaksin amount to an arbitrary interference with his privacy and his family, his private property, his business interests as well as his honour and reputation."

Thaksin has been travelling to cities in Asia, Europe and the UK in the nine months since the coup and has attacked the junta in interviews and speeches.

The implications for Manchester City are enormous. Club chairman, John Wardle convened an emergency board meeting yesterday. The club's lawyers have asked Thaksin for written confirmation that he is in a position to proceed and Manchester City Council, which owns the stadium, has become involved, The Guardian said.

"The perception of the club is one of drift," said the council leader, Sir Richard Leese. "The board ought to put a deadline on the takeover issue. It is reaching a stage where people should put up or shut up."

- The Nation

[sriracha john]

Goodbye Manchester City, Hello Hong Kong Fortress?

HONG KONG - With his hold on his assets threatened by the Thai military junta, Thailand’s ousted prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, may have decided he’d be better off buying a high-security mountainside mansion in Hong Kong rather than a British soccer club.

Rumors have been flying in Hong Kong that Thaksin is the mystery man who paid a record price this month for a luxury home in the most prized section of the city, an elevated residential neighborhood called the Peak.

The city’s largest property developer, Sun Hung Kai Properties, revealed Monday that it had sold a townhouse in a new development called Severn 8 for 210.8 million Hong Kong dollars (US$27 million).

That makes the three-story, 5,100 sq. foot property the most expensive in Asia at 4,1000 Hong Kong dollars ($5,256) per square foot, and second in the world after the luxury properties around Hyde Park in London.

On Tuesday, a Hong Kong newspaper, The Standard, claimed that Thaksin was the buyer, citing three separate unnamed sources. "It is obvious the seller is pushing the price to the limit," a source described as having more than 30 years of experience in the industry was quoted as saying, “It would require someone who either loves the property very much or who does not care about money at all to make the call of buying it for more than HK$41,000 per square foot.”

On the other side of the world in London, where Thaskin has been living since he was forced into exile last September, he seems to have lost interest in buying the English footfall club Manchester City, as local newspapers are predicting an imminent collapse of his bid, first made public in May. (See: " What Game Is Thaksin Playing")

Sun Hung Kai declined to disclose the identity of the buyer. Local media previously described the buyer as a local businessman using the residence as a way station while shuttling between China and Hong Kong. That definition could apply to any rich person on earth since Hong Kong has an investment scheme that gives resident status to anyone with a few million bucks.

The high price for the townhouse came as a surprise to Hong Kong real estate insiders because it’s attached to neighboring homes.

Nonetheless, it comes with a magnificent view overlooking the harbor and a swimming pool, and suitably for a man with powerful enemies, all the properties have a three-tiered security system with infrared detectors, thermal cameras and closed-circuit television, according to the developer.

If the buyer is Thaksin, the closing of the purchase may have come none too soon.

On Monday, the military-controlled Thai government froze 21 bank accounts under the names of Thaksin and his family with total worth of about $1.6 billion.

The Thai government has had trouble tracking down 21 billion baht ($609 million) of the $1.9 billion that Thaksin netted from his sale early last year of his family’s crown jewel, telecom services provider Shin Corp, to Singapore’s Temasek Holdings.

Perhaps an expensive house in Hong Kong could be part of the answer.

- Forbes

[sriracha john]

Thaksin says he still has cash to buy Man City

Thailand's deposed premier Thaksin Shinawatra should have enough money to buy English Premier League club Manchester City, even after Thai authorities froze 1.5 billion dollars of his assets, his lawyer said Thursday.

"We have money to buy Manchester City, and the signs from the club in the latest negotiations are good," attorney Noppadon Pattama told reporters.

Before authorities froze his assets, Thaksin had already set aside about seven billion baht (210.6 million dollars) to finance the purchase of Manchester City, Noppadon said.

The money is held in five accounts under his children's names, the lawyer added.

The Assets Examination Committee (AEC), which froze Thaksin's assets on Monday over corruption claims, did not place a block on the funds in those accounts, he added.

"We had already informed the AEC about these bank accounts before they ordered the freeze," Noppadon said.

He declined to say how many shares in the club Thaksin wanted to buy.

"It will be enough for the takeover to ensure the Shinawatra family can decide on the club managers and the players," the lawyer said.

Thaksin, 57, had been considered the front-runner in the Manchester City takeover, a deal estimated at about 100 million pounds (197 million dollars).

But depending on how the negotiations proceed, Noppadon said that Thaksin might need to tap into some of the frozen accounts.

"We should know the final results within 72 hours," he said.

"We may need to use some of the money that has been frozen. If we can't buy Manchester City, the AEC will be to blame," he added.

The public signs from Manchester City have not been encouraging for Thaksin. After the assets freeze Monday, the club said it was seeking clarification from Thaksin on his financial status.

A club source said Wednesday that Manchester City have stepped up their search for a new manager, in a move that cast further doubt on Thaksin's planned takeover.

- World Soccer News

[sriracha john]

Ball back in City's court

THE incredible saga of the former Thai Prime Minister and his bid to take over Manchester City is finally nearing its end.

Nearly two months after Thaksin Shinawatra's interest in the Blues first became public, it's crunch time.

And make no mistake about it, the final decision on the fate of Shinawatra's proposed bid for the club now rests entirely with City's board.

They are likely to make that decision within the next five days.

City representatives have spent the last two days locked in talks with Shinawatra's team in London, attempting to discover whether he still has the money to go through with a takeover after having £830m frozen by the Thai government on Monday.

Shinawatra wants to plough on. That was what his lawyer Noppadon Pattama said in Bangkok yesterday morning. That's what sources close to the former Thai Prime Minister have been saying ever since he was granted access to City 's accounts on May 1. Those sources now say that the ball is in City's court.

To say that the Blues board are wavering, though, would be an understatement. When Pattama says that negotiations to buy City will conclude within two weeks, the Blues board could be forgiven for tapping their watches and wondering if Shinawatra has realised just how late it is.

It is 45 days since Shinawatra's team began going through City's books. It is 34 days since the Blues sacked manager Stuart Pearce, a decision that was taken with Shinawatra's knowledge. It is 19 days before City's players return for pre-season training.

The Blues have no manager, and with the fixture list now out, are the only club in the Premiership who have yet to announce any pre-season friendlies.

While they do have a pre-season programme pencilled in, which should be confirmed next week, the club are only too aware of the deep unease among their fans.

The Blues board are only too aware that they have to be seen to make progress. And it is for that reason that City have launched their own search for a manager, rather than wait any longer for Shinawatra to show he can produce the money.

Mark Hughes' rise towards the top of the managerial list shows a departure from Shinawatra's intentions, as the former Thai Prime Minister wanted to appoint a European coach. On that front, the Blues haven't given up hope of attracting Juande Ramos from Sevilla or former England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson or, it emerged last night, former Juventus boss Didier Deschamps.

Give City's fans a choice between those four, and most would favour Ramos, twice a UEFA Cup winner with Sevilla. Yet Eriksson's domestic coaching record is outstanding; he is the only manager to have won the domestic double in three countries.

Chairman John Wardle is prepared to give the Blues' next boss money from his own pocket to compete in the transfer market if necessary.

And even though there are two unnamed American groups interested in buying the club, neither have yet been granted access to City's accounts, making it difficult for any takeover by another party to go through quickly enough for the Blues' liking.

With Ray Ranson adamant that he will not go back in for the Blues after abandoning his takeover bid late last month, it leaves Wardle as a source of summer transfer cash should City decide that Shinawatra has run out of time.

It is not too late for the Blues to decide which way to jump. The summer's transfer merry-go-round has yet to rise above a snail's pace. Five other Premiership clubs - Aston Villa, Blackburn, Derby, Everton and Fulham - have yet to sign any players this summer either.

While City may have been disappointed when Claudio Ranieri turned down the manager's job in favour of Juventus, they have hardly missed out on a welter of stars in the transfer market, if the deals that have gone through so far are anything to go by.

But the clock is ticking. The big summer deals will be done soon, and City must be at the market when they happen.

City's board know that the club is at a crossroads. Pearce said as much in his closing weeks as manager.

It is vital that the City hierarchy make the right decisions for the long term, both in appointing a new manager and choosing whether to go forward with Shinawatra. They also know that they have to make that decision very quickly.

As Wardle, chief executive Alistair Mackintosh and the rest of the City board discuss these matters, they know that they are about to make perhaps one of the most important decisions in the club's history.

The most important weekend when surely THE decision will be made can't come quickly enough.

- Manchester Evening News

[sriracha john]

City soon to decide on Thaksin's bid

The incredible saga of the former prime minister and his bid to take over Manchester City is finally nearing its end, Friday's Manchester Evening News said. Its reporter Mike Whalley wrote that the final decision on the fate of Thaksin Shinawatra's proposed bid for the soccer club now rests entirely with City's board and that they are likely to make that decision in the next five days. City representatives spent Thursday and Friday locked in talks with Mr Thaksin's team in London, attempting to discover whether he still has the money to go through with a takeover after having many of his assets frozen by the government on Monday.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/17Jun2007_news01.php

[sriracha john]

Confusion at Man City

Thaksin Shinawatra faces a 72-hour deadline to bid on Manchester City - but the likely new manager Sven Goran Eriksson opposes the sale. According to British media reports on Sunday morning (Thailand time), Eriksson is being lined up for a return to England as manager of Manchester City, but his appointment is in doubt as would-be owners fight Mr Thaksin for control of the club. The ex-premier could succeed with his 90-million-pound takeover in the next 72 hours when he makes a formal bid to shareholders despite having assets frozen in Thailand. But according to the Daily Mail newspaper, quoting "a source," Eriksson feels Thaksin would not be the choice of the Thai people. The failed ex-England coach is therefore believed to be hoping a rival faction buys the club and scuppers Mr Thaksin.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/topstories/tops...s.php?id=119493

[sriracha john]

Eriksson For City If Thaksin Takes Over?

Former England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson is reportedly set to be appointed as the new manager of Manchester City if Thaksin Shinawatra succeeds with a £120 million takeover bid for the Premiership club.

Eriksson has apparently been approached to take over at Eastlands following Claudio Ranieri's decision to join Juventus, and Juande Ramos's preference to stay with Sevilla in Spain.

However, Eriksson's appointment hinges on whether ex-Thai prime minister Shinawatra clinches a deal to buy City - says the Sunday Mirror.

When it was revealed that Shinawatra had £1.4billion of assets frozen by the Thai military government that deposed him, his hopes of owning City looked to have collapsed. However, negotiations are said to be continuing, although clearly Thaksin's financial clout is considerably less than it was.

Eriksson has not worked in football management since leaving the England job a year ago after the World Cup - despite regularly stating his wish to manage a Premiership club.

To date he has hardly been overwhelmed by the rush to engage his services.

- goal.com

[Briggsy]

Thaksin and his mouthpiece, Noppadol, must be pissing themselves over the publicity they've gained here. Man City and the press are fools for accommodating them. Does nobody realise apart from me that Thaksin is the expert at spinning processes out to suit his purposes. Just look at his missus not turning up at court. Spin it out until the situation changes and then just forget about your lies (most other people will) and move on.

Come on, Man City, just reject the ###### non-bid, end negotiations and kill this infuriating story.

[steveromagnino]

Thaksin and his mouthpiece, Noppadol, must be pissing themselves over the publicity they've gained here. Man City and the press are fools for accommodating them. Does nobody realise apart from me that Thaksin is the expert at spinning processes out to suit his purposes. Just look at his missus not turning up at court. Spin it out until the situation changes and then just forget about your lies (most other people will) and move on.

Come on, Man City, just reject the ###### non-bid, end negotiations and kill this infuriating story.

I think Man City fans are probably waiting for:

- 30 baht season tickets : raksah goal tuk chanit kair 30 baht

- OTOC : One Toxin One City

- CTX : City Taxin Xylophones (or something more appropriate with an X)

- Cracks in the pitch : City fans rally to defend the cracks in the pitch, after rival Man U player falls down into one crack reportedly 'as deep as der forking grand canyon'

He obviously can raise the cash; most private banks would lend to him and he has plenty of potential partners. Issue is not with whether he has the cash, it is whether he is serious about the bid.

And whether city have the balls (555) to turn down a dodgy motha forker.

[chuchok]

He obviously can raise the cash; most private banks would lend to him and he has plenty of potential partners. Issue is not with whether he has the cash, it is whether he is serious about the bid.

Many posters here have missed this point.