Manchester City fans make their feelings known prior to the kick-off against Liverpool at Anfield, Liverpool on Sunday.

Thaksin's 'demand' that the players 'wai' him before kick-off is being seen as a dictatorship streak

The abrupt end to Thaksin Shinawatra's honeymoon with Manchester City Football Club may deteriorate into something worse. After the controversy involving the Thai flag and the close-call with dressing room mutiny, Thaksin has reportedly rocked the club further by asking its players to bow to him before the kick-off at each home game.

Britain's Sunday Mirror reported that City officials have been worried for some time by Thaksin's requests - and his latest is for the team to wai him after their pre-kick-off handshake with the visiting team.

The report will not help the rapidly souring relations between Thaksin and the club he bought last year, and the latest controversy coincides with its fans' first major show of discontent toward the former Thai prime minister on Sunday.

There was less than five minutes on the clock at Liverpool's Anfield grounds on Sunday, when fans expressed their feelings about Thaksin's plans to dismiss manager Sven Goran Eriksson at the end of season.

United in support

"Hey, Thaksin, leave our Sven alone," read a banner. "We don't need no Phil Scolari, we don't need no Mourinho", they sang to the tune of Pink Floyd's "Another Brick In Wall".

"I'd rather say goodbye to the Thai", one banner read in a stadium that has become accustomed to anti-American placards as Liverpool's owners have continued to generate anger.

It was an unequivocal show of support for the beleaguered Eriksson and one not lost on the City owner's Thai acolytes, who shifted uncomfortably in their seats when the chant was explained to them.

The discontent has also increased doubts about Thaksin's claims that the display of a Thai flag bearing Thaksin's name at City's last home game was the work of British fans. Pictures of the flag triggered a political uproar in Bangkok. On his return from England two days ago, Thaksin said he regretted the incident, but virtually blamed cultural ignorance of fans.

He has yet to react to the report that he wanted City players to bow to him. The Sunday Mirror said some at the club see this as another example of how Thaksin "is turning the club into his personal dictatorship".

A City insider was quoted as saying: "At first we thought it was a joke, but the owner was serious about the players paying their respects. It's just not going to happen."

Days numbered

Sunday Mirror revealed three weeks ago that Thaksin's relationship with manager Eriksson was at breaking point. And the former England coach will be sacked at the end of the season, despite being less than 12 months into a three-year contract.

Thaksin aims to placate fans by bringing in Phil Scolari after the Brazilian's contract with Portugal expires after Euro 2008. He is preparing to sack Eriksson against the wishes of all the high-ranking officials he retained at the club when he took over last summer.

Former chairman John Wardle, chief executive Alistair Mackintosh and legal expert Bryan Bodek could follow Eriksson out.

City fans are furious about Thaksin's treatment of Eriksson - and some have demanded season ticket refunds after the Swede issued a plea on marketing material urging supporters to renew.

British media said former chairman John Wardle, who smiled ruefully as the pro-Eriksson chants reached a crescendo at Anfield, is as dismayed as every fan.

The days when fans affectionately dubbed Thaksin "Frank" - as in Sinatra - are long gone, the British media said. They have been replaced by fierce antipathy towards him over his shabby treatment of Eriksson.

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Uncertain future

>> Sven Goran Eriksson appreciated fans' call for him to stay, but said: "Maybe it will not affect things."

>> Manchester City FC under Eriksson ranks ninth in the Premier League table with one match to go this season. Last season the club ranked 14.