Manchester City midfielder Didi Hamann says their success this season is down to the quiet man-management of gaffer Sven Goran Eriksson.

The 34 year-old German told City Magazine: "It goes without saying that the atmosphere in our dressing room is spot-on. Otherwise we could not have turned around the dreadful season we had a year ago. You need a dressing room where everyone gets on, and we have that. It shows in training and it shows in matches.

"That is also down to the way the manager goes about his business because he treats everyone with respect and kindness. There is a relaxed way of doing things and that reflects itself in the team.

"Every manager has their way of doing things and he is calm and we mirror that. He has passion, but he channels it in the right way. Sven knows exactly when to say things and when not to.

"If you talk to people, there are very few - if any - who would have a bad word to say about him. You can't, because he is a nice man and a genuine man and is leading the club in the right direction with everyone following him. Hans Backe is pretty much the same; he has sound football knowledge too. Everything is in place."