SVEN SVEN SVEN GORAN ERIKSSON (Sven Goran Eriksson)

Member Name: C_Padd

Product:	Sven Goran Eriksson
Date:	12/05/02 (397 review reads)
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The appointment of Swede Sven Goran Eriksson to the job of England’s Football National team manager raised a few eyebrows when he was appointed in January 2001. This was mostly due to the fact that (shock horror) he was not actually English. What is the world coming to when our national team is manager by a foreigner? Since then he has won over a nation qualifying for the World Cup with a Beckham free kick against Greece, affairs with Miss Ulrika Johnson and most memorably a 5-1 victory over the Germans in Munich.

Many people criticised the FA when Sven was unveiled as England manager. He took over in the England hot seat after the resignation of Kevin Keegan after England lost 1-0 to Germany in Wembely’s last ever game. People went against him because he was simply not English. The idea that some one other than an Englishman would not have the passion to lead the team properly, or be inadequate in some way. These people were forgetting Sven is a damn fine manager with a proven track record. I too was unsure about Sven when he was appointed. I thought there were better men such as Terry Venables or Peter Taylor around. I would not discriminate Sven because he is not English as some people did. Well England are now in the World Cup thanks to him and of course the players. Many of those people that called out against his appointment have been made to eat their words and many have totally changed their opinion.

Sven did not arrive instantly in the England job. He was still tied up in contract with Italian club Lazio when he accepted. Peter Taylor came in for one game against Italy before a run of poor results in Rome led to Sven’s early departure. This was a blessing for England who at the time were struggling in the World Cup qualifiers losing to Germany and drawing with Finland. Since Sven taking over England managed to get out as group winners with wins in Greece and Germany and at home to Albania and drawing with Greece. This w
as also due in no small part to Germany’s habit of collapsing and under performing.

There is mo doubt that Sven did more than his own bit for England. He has discovered some great players and has shown no fear in picking less fancied players in his England team. Chris Powell has fitted in from Charlton to not looking out of place internationally, and Ashley Cole has been a revelation at left back. He has also taken a young squad with Joe Cole, Owen Hargreaves and Wes Brown all going to Japan and Korea. Sven Goran Eriksson is not the sort of manager to yell at the players from the touchline a la Martin O’Neil, but like Arsene Wenger in a ‘professor’ role with his suit and glasses. He does a lot more tactically and with players, and so far it has worked well. A potential gamble from the FA has given England a great manager and a good chance in this years World Cup.

Sven made a small playing career in his native Sweden, but is much more famous as a manager. He came to fame as a young manager winning the UEFA Cup with IFK Gothenburg in 1982. He also has won the Italian Scudetto with Lazio in 1999/00 breaking a northern dominated reign in Italy. He also won the European Cup winners cup in its last ever year. Sven’s achievements both his history and England have led to a series of clubs allegedly chancing him. Manchester United were reportedly interested in him when Sven hinted he was a bit tired with international management. He also hit the headlines recently aside from his football with an affair with fellow countrywoman Ulrika Johnson. He seems to have stuck now with long term girlfriend Nancy Del Orrilo. Maybe not the idea preparation to the World Cup, but I will say no more.

Overall Sven will have put himself into a nations hearts within one night. The win over Germany sums up how good it can get. He is a top manager with a great history behind him and he is starting to write his own England legacy. It can
only help their World Cup chances to have Sven there, even if he does come from Sweden.

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