MANCHESTER CITY chairman John Wardle may make Graeme Souness manager amid fears that Thaksin Shinawatra's #90million takeover bid has hit the wall.
Wardle wants to see the colour of Shinawatra's money within a fortnight or he may be forced to scrap his plans to sell.
The former Thai Prime Minister's accountants have been looking at City's books for weeks as part of a due diligence process. But no formal bid has been made - nor is one expected this week.
Alarm signals are sounding as Shinawatra's attempt begins to look similar to his doomed plans to move into Anfield.
The fear among some of the City hierarchy is that, with the new season kicking off in just over two months, the club has become a rudderless ship. There is no manager following the sacking of Stuart Pearce, very few of the coaching staff remain and while other clubs are doing their summer shopping, City are caught in a void.
Claudio Ranieri, who was ready to become manager if Shinawatra was successful, is now certain to take over at Juventus instead.
Wardle is now preparing to remain in control and former Liverpool, Blackburn and Newcastle boss Souness is on stand-by.