Sven-Goran Eriksson is contemplating turning down an offer from his old club Benfica because he believes bigger and better opportunities will come his way.
The Manchester City manager feels he has been effectively handed his notice by club owner Thaksin Shinawatra and met with Benfica's president Luis Felipe Vieira on Wednesday night.
Although the Swede is still pondering the offer on the table from Benfica, the club he has managed twice before, it is understood he and his advisers believe his experience and the job he has done at City mean other offers are sure to follow.
The prospect of transforming Benfica into a power to match their main Portuguese rivals Porto would not be an easy one - they are currently 20 points behind them in the domestic league and do not have the same financial clout.
Benfica have attempted to persuade Eriksson that a new era is around the corner with Rui Costa, the veteran midfielder who played under Eriksson, appointed to become the club's director of football after he hangs up his boots next week.
Rui Costa was also at the meeting in Manchester with Vieira, and Eriksson is giving serious thought to their proposition.
Eriksson said: "I've had a meeting with the Benfica people. I'm considering the offer and it could be a step forward in my career. Let's see what happens."
Thaksin has spoken openly of other possible City managers even though he insisted he had yet to decide to stick with Eriksson or approach Jose Mourinho or Luiz Felipe Scolari.
Thaksin said: "There will be an evaluation at the end of the season of what needs to be changed, what needs to be added to the success of the club."
Asked about the managerial position, he added: "We have not decided yet. All of them - Sven, Scolari, Mourinho - they are all great coaches, great managers. We will discuss all of this at the end of the season."
Benfica have alternatives should they not go for Eriksson. Speculation in Portugal this afternoon suggests Carlos Queiroz, currently under contract as Sir Alex Ferguson's assistant at Old Trafford, is also interesting the two-time European Cup winners.
