Briefs

Eriksson: Manchester City manager Sven-Goran Eriksson suffered a humiliating end to his first season in English club management when his side were thrashed 8-1 at Middlesbrough yesterday. The Swede's future at the club was already under threat despite steering them to a respectable ninth place and City's capitulation would not have pleased the club's Thai owner Thaksin Shinawatra. Eriksson said the situation needed to resolved quickly. "The problem is that we have to speak clearly face to face and see what the club wants to do," Eriksson told Sky Sports. "Living in uncertainty is not good for anyone. I hope that there will be some sort of meeting."

Mourinho: Former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho expects to be back in a job soon. The Portuguese coach, who left Chelsea in September, told reporters at Setubal near Lisbon yesterday: "I will coach again, in principle, within a short time. It is something that I like to do." He gave no indications as to which club or which country.

Ivory Coast: Ivory Coast are set to appoint either Frenchman Jean Tigana or Bosnian Vahid Halilhodzic as their new national coach within the next 48 hours, the French sports daily L'Equipe said yesterday. The Ivorians are seeking a replacement to German Uli Stielike less than a month before the start of their 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign.

Turkey: Turkey coach Fatih Terim left out veteran striker Hakan Sukur from a 26-man squad for a training camp before next month's Euro 2008 finals. The Turkish Football Federation said on its website the squad was gathering in the Turkish Mediterranean resort of Antalya for a training camp yesterday.

Primera Liga: Played yesterday - Athletic Bilbao vs Rac. Santander 0-0; Atl. Madrid vs Deportivo 1-0; Barcelona vs Real Mallorca 2-3; Levante vs Valencia 1-5; Osasuna vs Real Murcia 2-1; Real Betis vs Sevilla 0-2; Real Valladolid vs Getafe 0-0; Real Zaragoza vs Real Madrid 2-2; Almeria vs Rec. Huelva 0-2; Villarreal vs Espanyol 2-0. Leading standings: Real Madrid 82; Villarreal 74; Barcelona, Atl. Madrid 64; Sevilla 61; Rac. Santander 57; Real Mallorca 56; Deportivo 52.