Eriksson out of running for Benfica post

NEW Benfica sporting director Rui Costa has admitted the Portuguese giants may have failed in their bid to attract Manchester City coach Sven-Goran Eriksson back to the Estadio da Luz.

Rui Costa was unveiled as the sporting director of the Lisbon club yesterday and at his official presentation the former Portugal internationalist admitted that negotiations with Eriksson may have come to an end.

“He is one of an exclusive group of coaches who have the right profile to be coach of Benfica,” Rui Costa said. “But the situation doesn’t allow us to hold out much hope and we have decided to look at other solutions.”

The former England manager’s future at City has been the subject of much speculation, with owner Thaksin Shinawatra expected to relieve Eriksson of his duties soon.

Eriksson earlier revealed he has been approached to coach Mexico but insists it is not the right time to make a decision on his future.

“I was called from Mexico,” Eriksson told Esto newspaper. “However, it’s not the right time to make a decision.

“I have nothing clear yet. My relationship with Manchester City is still running, we have a tour now (to Thailand) and I will complete my commitments.”