Pearce was 'night-watchman boss'

Pearce was sacked the day after the 2006-07 season finished

Former Manchester City manager Stuart Pearce says he performed the role of a "night-watchman" for the club.

City's New owner Thaksin Shinawatra has backed Pearce's successor Sven-Goran Eriksson, who has seen his side win their opening two Premier League games.

Pearce, who was City's boss for two years, said: "I was probably the first of the footballing night-watchman.

"I was sent in to bat through the night until some money was available - I knew that when I took the club over."

I've got a lot of time for the club and I'm pleased to see there's some financial input to help push the club forward Stuart Pearce

Pearce took over from Kevin Keegan as City manager in 2005, but his reign fizzled out as his mis-firing strikers failed to score at home over five months.

Michael Johnson's winner against Derby on 15 August, Eriksson's first home game, ended that 227 day goal-drought.

Pearce, who famously demanded that any severance pay clause be removed from his contract before he signed it, was sacked as manager the day after the 2006/2007 season ended.

606: DEBATE Give your reaction to Stuart Pearce's tenure as Man City manager

Now in charge of the England Under-21 side, Pearce admits poor results cost him the City job.

"If you win more games you stay put in place, if you don't you pay the consequences. There's definitely a boredom threshold at any club now and I paid the price," he said.

"Whether I was there or if a new manager came in, there's no doubt new investment was needed.

"I've got a lot of time for the club and I'm pleased to see there's some financial input to help push the club forward."