LONDON (AP) Sven-Goran Eriksson was appointed Manchester City manager on Friday after former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra announced he had gained effective control of the club to become its new chairman.
After coaching England, Eriksson now has almost as tough a job to lift City out of the shadow of neighbor Manchester United and compete against the other title contenders in English soccer.
Last season, City, which has not won a major trophy since 1976, and last won the league championship in 1968, finished 14th after spending most of it hovering just above the relegation zone.
"I'm sure that in the future we will see Manchester City higher in the table," Eriksson said. "It's a club that's lived in the middle of the table, and maybe a little bit lower for a few years, so it's big challenge."
The Swede is back in club management after five years in charge of England, where he failed to get past the quarterfinal stage of two World Cups and a European Championship.
"Did I really do so badly with England?" he asked Friday. "I have never worked in the Premier League before so I don't know if I have (anything) to prove or not. I know what I have done in the past and I am looking forward to an exciting job and an exciting season."
Eriksson signed a three-year deal worth a reported £9 million ($18 million).
Among the 17 titles he has collected, Eriksson has helped Sweden's IFK Goteborg, Portugal's Benfica and Italy's Lazio capture domestic league and Cup doubles.
He also guided Lazio to success in the European Cup Winners' Cup and a Super Cup victory over Champions League winner Manchester United.