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LONDON - PUT your money where your mouth is - that was Manchester City manager Sven-Goran Eriksson's challenge to owner Thaksin Shinawatra.
The former Thai prime minister made a bold prediction when he returned to his native country to face corruption charges.
He said: 'I will build a team that the Thai people will be proud of. Before long, there will be Man City China, Man City Japan, Man City USA.
'In the next season, Manchester City will be another Manchester United.'
Thaksin hopes his return will lead to his exoneration and, subsequently, allow him access to an £800 million (S$2.2 billion) fortune that was frozen by the country's previous military-led regime.
Eriksson wants some of the money to go City's way, warning Thaksin that to fulfil his ambitions for the club, a spending spree close to the level of Roman Abramovich at Chelsea will be needed.
'I'm happy that he talks that way and, if he wants, let's give it a go. It's a realistic target if the resources are there,' said the Swede.
'Remember, Chelsea were a good team but started to compete with United and Arsenal only when Abramovich came in. That was a huge scale of investment.'
But an interview Thaksin gave in December may be more indicative of his ambitions.
Then, he complained that running a football club was expensive and that he might need to use ticket sales as collateral to obtain loan funding and help City move on.
For now, Eriksson could do with a win against Wigan today after taking a mere seven points from a possible 21.
City must do it without key defender Micah Richards, who is out for six weeks after a knee operation.
Martin Petrov will also miss the Wigan match as he will be starting a three-match ban for being sent off in Monday's defeat by Everton.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Manchester City v Wigan
Live, Ch27, tomorrow, 1.10am
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