Eriksson determined to deliver March 20 2008
Manchester City manager Sven-Goran Eriksson is determined to deliver on owner Thaksin Shinawatra's Champions League ambitions.
Fuelled by former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin's millions, Eriksson has transformed City from relegation strugglers to European candidates this season.
Both now want to go further and push the club towards the top of the Premier League and into the continent's elite competition.
It is challenge that is exciting former England boss Eriksson, who looks set to be handed another sizeable transfer kitty in the summer.
The Swede has already spent around £50million of Thaksin's money on new players since his arrival last summer and, following a meeting between the pair this week, he has confirmed the trend will continue.
Eriksson said: "There will be money available this summer. I didn't ask about how much but there will be money and that's good.
"What he has done so far is absolutely perfect. Everything he promised he has lived up to.
"I think what he said was really clear - money will be available this summer and even more money the summer after.
"His ambitions are big - that is good and what you expect from a former prime minister.
"He would like to see this club playing in the Champions League in a couple of years - perfect ambitions. That's my ambitions as well."
Thaksin bought City in an £81.6million takeover deal last summer and Eriksson believes the telecommunications billionaire has been generally pleased with the team's performances since.
Eriksson delivered his progress report this week following Thaksin's return from Thailand, where he appeared in court earlier this month to plead not guilty to corruption charges.
Their meeting was precipitated by a timely first win in four matches against Tottenham at Eastlands last Sunday.
Eriksson said: "It was not the first and it is not the last of my meetings with him, it has been done on a regular basis.
"But because he has been away for five weeks on private business he wanted to see me, and to see other people in the club. I think it was good, very good.
"He liked the match we played against Tottenham, a good result. I don't think he was that happy when we went three matches with only one point, but no-one was happy.
"It was good and I think it is important for me and for the fans that he spoke out about the future, and that I think is perfect."