Manchester City believe they can identify their new manager within a week and clinch his appointment before launching their pre-season programme on July 4th.

And although Seville boss Juande Ramos is top of their list, City still see Dutch pair Co Adriaanse and Ronald Koeman as serious contenders.

Even though Chris Coleman and Mark Hughes have been linked with the club, City sources do not expect their new boss to be British.

City have gone on the attack these past few days as their prospective takeover has floundered, in an effort to counter claims that the Eastlands club are in limbo.

Chief executive Alistair Mackintosh is actively leading the search for a new manager and is believed to have had talks with Ramos' advisors already.

A City source said: "There is a need now to move quickly. We could even see an announcement within the next seven days."

On the controversial takeover bid from former Thai PM Thaksin Shinawatra, chairman John Wardle is waiting for more assurances that the deal can progress.

But it is expected that he will make a decision over the viability of the offer by the weekend, or maybe next Monday.

The fact that the Shinawatra camp have told City they would want to appoint their own manager has not stopped the club now handling their own search.

Adriaanse has emerged as a genuine prospect if moves for Ramos fall through.  The Spaniard can still win the La Liga title this weekend, although Real Madrid and Barcelona are the favourites.  And he has a Copa del Rey final against Getafe on June 23rd still to play.

Ramos' agents having actively touted his name for English jobs over the past few months, and he could agree to take over at City before he leads Seville into the Spanish Cup final.

Adriaanse interests City because he is currently out of work, having left a job in the Ukraine league with Metahurh Donetsk several weeks ago. His track record at Alkmaar and Porto is impressive, and the former Ajax star, at 59, has all the right credentials.

Koeman has another year on his contract at PSV Eindhoven but is still on City's short list.

The outcome of the last weekend of the Spanish League could well have a genuine impact on who City eventually get to replace Stuart Pearce.

City do not expect to make any further decisions on their takeover until the weekend but insist that they still have another interested party - an American group - who they have been negotiate with.  PA