City owner Thaksin Shinawatra is currently carrying out a full review of Eriksson's first season in charge, apparently set on getting rid of the former England manager.

City fans have already made their opposition clear in a massive rally at their Eastlands home the weekend before last, pointing out Eriksson had delivered a top-10 finish, which was the pre-season aim.

Now, with a European berth booked as well 12 months ahead of schedule, any decision to oust the Swede will appear even more nonsensical.

"It is like the dream came true," Eriksson told the club's website.

"Our dream to play in Europe has been strong all season. At one point we were almost sure to get there, at other points we have been almost out of it but now this news is absolutely fantastic."

For his part, Dr Thaksin kept his reponse to a minimum, saying merely he was "delighted".

The prospect of tackling Europe's minnows in a first qualifying round tie in July may not be particularly enticing but, as Eriksson pointed out, it could provide a useful stepping stone.

"It is a step in the right direction because the target for this club in the future is to play in the Champions League," said Eriksson.

"The UEFA Cup is a very good school to learn about European football.

"It is a confirmation that we are a good team but also a team that behaves well on the pitch. This is like a bonus for us."

Although City finished only sixth in the English Fair Play table the five clubs above them had already qualified for Europe so they took the UEFA Cup berth, pipping Fulham despite having captain Richard Dunne sent off in their final match - the 8-1 hammering at Middlesbrough.

The decision has caught City's groundstaff by surprise as they are relaying the pitch immediately after a Bon Jovi concert in June, meaning Eastlands will be unavailable for the UEFA Cup tie.

With Old Trafford ruled out for obvious reasons and most Lancashire grounds either relaying their surface or deemed unsuitable, Huddersfield's Galpharm Stadium, which usually plays host to rugby league in the summer, has been mentioned as a possible alternative.

Although the draw for the first qualifying round is not due to be made until June 30, the Blues already know they have been placed in the Northern section.

This puts them in line to face opposition from Estonia, Iceland, the Faroe Islands, Lithuania or Luxembourg, plus opposition closer to home in the form of two Northern Irish representatives Glentoran and Cliftonville, two from the Republic in Cork City and current league leaders St Patrick's Athletic, as well as Bangor from Wales.

There is also the possibility of a rematch with Wales' other representatives The New Saints who as Total Network Solutions, faced City when they last got into the UEFA Cup by the same route in 2003.

City will hope the lure of European combat will help retain the services of Micah Richards, Michael Johnson and Dunne, who have all been linked with moves elsewhere in recent days.

Certainly Thaksin is keen to keep his most talented individuals, judging by his forceful response to a claim the entire first-team squad had been put up for sale.

"There is absolutely no truth to this story," he said, adding he was considering taking legal action over the damning allegations contained in the story itself.