City fans respond to takeover
23 Jun 2007 - 13:18:33
Manchester City have reported an upturn in sales of their Seasoncards following the news that Thaksin Shinawatra's £81.6million bid for the club has been recommended by the board of directors.
The former Thai prime minister has promised to invest heavily in the squad under a high-profile new manager and City fans have responded by signing up for the club's membership scheme.
Shinawatra is believed to favour former England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson for the managerial hot-seat and will hand the Swede a reported £50million transfer kitty.
"We were initially delighted with the number of early renewals we received from Seasoncard holders, along with the new applicants," chief executive Alistair Mackintosh told the club's official website.
"But with a new manager and new players to come in before the start of the season, we look forward to more supporters becoming City Seasoncard holders."
Earlier in the week, Shinawatra promised to transform City into one of the Premier League's leading clubs.
He said: "What I'm going to bring to the club is fresh ideas from outside, equity and capital, so the club can invest more on players and other infrastructure if necessary.
"The existing players are very good but we will have to bring more, good players.
"We need to add two more strikers, two more midfielders and then maybe some."