Good news has often been followed by bad at Manchester City in recent weeks, so even though supporters were finally given something to cheer yesterday when the club were granted a place in the Uefa Cup, they soon discovered that they have surrendered home advantage.

The Premier League has confirmed that City have been entered into the first qualifying round of the competition via the English Fair Play League. Although the club finished sixth in the Fair Play table, that was above any team who had not qualified for Europe.

Unfortunately for their fans, however, the club will not be able to play the home leg of their tie at the City of Manchester Stadium because the pitch is to be relaid once Bon Jovi, the American rock band, have played a concert at the ground on June 22. With Old Trafford ruled out as an alternative venue, along with several other grounds in Lancashire, the Galpharm Stadium, home to Huddersfield Town, is being considered.

Nonetheless, the news of City's entry into Europe, 12 months ahead of schedule, is likely to create another problem for Thaksin Shinawatra, the club's owner, as he prepares to sack Sven-Göran Eriksson. Thaksin had identified a top-ten finish as Eriksson's objective during his first season in charge, but despite surpassing that target, the former England head coach is expected to be asked to leave.

While Thaksin said only that he was “delighted” by City's qualification for the Uefa Cup, Eriksson was more effusive yesterday, aware that the news will serve only to strengthen the belief that the owner would be foolish to dispense with the Swede's services.

Eriksson is pressing on with his summer transfer plans and has identified Pablo Zabaleta, the Espanyol player, who is comfortable in defence and midfield, as one possible target, although any move would be dependent on the manager remaining in charge.