Thaksin coy on Eriksson's future

Owner Thaksin is unhappy with Manchester City's performances

Manchester City owner Thaksin Shinawatra will conduct a review of the club as speculation mounts about manager Sven-Goran Eriksson's future.

Thaksin has revealed he is unhappy with City's showing in the second half of the Premier League season.

And he said: "We will look at it at the end of the season and assess the club and the people involved."

Reports have named Portugal's former Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari as a possible successor to Eriksson.

606: DEBATE He can't possibly be thinking about getting rid of Sven BlueMain

However, Thaksin played down suggestions that Scolari had already been lined up, saying: "There are no plans at the moment. We will have to evaluate at the end of the season."

He insisted he did not know Scolari and had never met him but admitted there would need to be changes on the playing staff next season.

We have some good players but we need more Manchester City owner Thaksin Shinawatra

Manchester City refused to comment on Thaksin's statement - but any move to replace the Swede would be regarded as hugely unpopular with supporters and players, who have come to revere the former England boss.

Former Thailand Prime Minister Thaksin expanded on his summer plans when he added: "We'll probably have to sell some players and buy some new ones. We need some defenders, midfielders - midfielders are the key."

After a strong start to the season, City have slipped to eighth in the table and are now battling to try to secure European football next season - but they were locked in a relegation dogfight last season before Eriksson's arrival as successor to Stuart Pearce.

Thaksin made an emotional return to Thailand in February after 18 months in exile but has vowed to stay out of politics and focus on his family, charities and Manchester City.