Manchester City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson expects a decision on his future "within hours" after watching his 10-man side slump to an embarrassing 8-1 defeat at Middlesbrough.

The former England boss has guided the club to ninth in the Barclays Premier League - their best finish since Kevin Keegan led them to eighth in 2004-05.

Thai owner Thaksin Shinawatra has already expressed his disappointment with the final outcome of Eriksson's 10 months in charge and the former Thai Prime Minister is fully expected to dispense with the Swede's services sooner rather than later.

"To live in the insecure is never good for anyone but I hope to not be living in the insecure very soon, within hours," he said.

"I expect to speak to people - or they speak to me - from the owner's side, people in the club who work daily within the club.

"I have had no answer (about his future) yet."

Eriksson was asked when he expected to speak to Thaksin. "Now, as soon as I have finished here I hope."

Asked what effect the speculation about his job had on the players and the performance, Eriksson added: "You can never measure that."

The former England coach could offer no explanation for the result other than bad luck.

"You can use whatever word you want and I would probably agree," he said. "It started badly when Benjani was injured after just a couple of minutes.

"A little bit later penalty and a red card for our captain. I don't think he (Dunne) tried to foul him. I think they crossed but it is difficult to be the ref in this case.

"It was a collision and it was the wrong place. I don't think the ball has gone to the striker, it has gone straight to Isaksson but I think the referee maybe must send him off in a place like that."