Sven Goran Eriksson in the frame for Mexico job

Sven Goran Eriksson has been offered an escape route from his Manchester City nightmare with a £4.5million offer to coach Mexico to the World Cup.

Eriksson is set to be sacked as City boss after just one season, despite guiding the club to a top-10 finish in the Premier League and a likely UEFA Cup place through the Fair Play League.

Former England coach Eriksson is on an end-of-season tour of the Far East with City but said last night: "I was called from Mexico. My agent is the person who analyses the contract terms.

"I can just say I was contacted. However, it's not the right time to make a decision.

"The Mexico offer is not the first proposal. It is just one more and I will study it with my people.

"I have nothing clear yet. My relationship with City is still running and I will complete commitments. Then I don't know what is going to happen."

Eriksson is due to meet club chairman and owner Thaksin Shinawatra today, when he is expected to be given his marching orders.

It is understood no official announcement will be made until City return from playing two games in Bangkok and Hong Kong.

But the Swede, 60, could walk straight back into management with this lucrative offer to take charge of Mexico, who have just parted company with Hugo Sanchez.

Eriksson held talks with Benfica about returning to the Portugal club for a third spell in charge but is said to have gone cold on the idea and is now expected to turn them down.

Former City boss Stuart Pearce has warned the club's owner that he will be axing the best man for the job when he sacks Sven.

Pearce said: "Do I think that Manchester City have a fantastic manager in charge of the team at this moment? The answer is yes - and that's from an ex-manager of the club.

"If you ask me as a Manchester City supporter whether Sven should stay in charge, the answer is yes.

"They have the right fella in charge and he has done a very good job but that's just a footballing opinion of mine."

City goalkeeper Joe Hart, meanwhile, who has been selected in Fabio Capello's senior squad for the two friendly matches against USA and Trinidad & Tobago later this month, will start for Pearce's England Under 21s against Wales, which will be played at Wrexham tonight.