Manchester City chairman Thaksin Shinawatra says any new signing will be thoroughly researched and only join if they are committed to their career.

"I have heard of Premier League players with a garage full of sports cars and almost a girlfriend for each one. That is no way for an athlete to behave. He should be in the training ground, working," Thaksin told the Daily Mail.

"Ronaldinho has the old magic in his boots. I am sure he is still hungry.

"We need a culture of discipline at our club,' he continues, hinting that Eriksson was too weak. 'I want strong leadership from the manager, motivation for young men and I want players who can cope with that.

"If not, they can go. I want players who work hard to make their luck, not players who are lazy. We are not a selling club, but I want players with talent, who will exercise and improve. I want desire and commitment.

"Some may fit, some not. That is a decision for the new manager. Look, you cannot all live together for ever. Some will go, but not our best young players.

"We will pay the best for the best and to the best. That is my strategy, which is why I want a player like Ronaldinho. We need to breed success. Right now, we have a negative cash flow, but within two years we will be making money. You will see.

"The supporters, I hope, will also see what I am trying to do. They have loved the club longer than me, but I am with them because I have invested my money, a lot of money.' Most recently the £4.6m paid to Blackburn for Hughes and his coaching team.

"There are times when I wish I could be closer to the fans and to talk to them, but they will have to trust me and to see that, instead of words, I show them my intentions with actions."