Sven-Goran Eriksson passed away yesterday. The Swede will be fondly remembered by many for his club managerial accomplishments and smashing the narrative that the England senior men’s managerial football job was a homegrown only appointment.
Eriksson’s club management record is beyond reproach. His eighteen managerial club honors were in different countries starting in his native Sweden, Portugal and Italy. Every club he joined was successful and better for his tenure.
Gothenburg was the platform for further career success. The side won the UEFA Cup, Swedish League and Cup during his tenure. Benfica was a big pressure job but success followed domestically with two final losses in European finals.
Serie A is as cut throat as they come but his tenures with Roma, Lazio (Scudetto) and Sampdoria yielded more success and that prompted the English FA to pick up the call and look to appoint an outsider to the senior men’s role.
The English media papers today were consolatory in their tone but it was a far cry to their reaction on Eriksson when he was appointed. Eriksson entrusted with the golden generation to secure international success. The media lapping up every mishap along the way.
2001 and that 1-5 win against Germany in Munich was a clear highlight. Beckham’s late free kick against Greece secured World Cup 2002 qualification where Brazil would end England’s ambitions.
2004 Euros was a disappointment. England conceded twice to France in the opening group game but recovered to advance to face host nation Portugal. The penalty shoot-out loss was inevitable as soon as Sol Campbell’s late goal was chalked off.
Sven Goran Eriksson has pinpointed the 2006 World Cup as a massive disappointment. The squad was primed for success but the manager was unable to create an unified squad as club tensions between players were never too far.
Scathing criticism of Eriksson ensued. The selection of Theo Walcott over Jermaine Defoe and the inability of the side to dominate teams in midfield were easy critiques. Portugal and a penalty shootout elimination in the last eight again.
Eriksson was probably better out of the job at this stage. News of the World setup the ‘Fake Sheikh’ undercover operation. Eriksson’s private life was relentlessly examined and exposed to the general public.
The Swede departed the role in 2006 but had no shortage of suitors for his services from both clubs and international teams. Eriksson not afraid of a challenge.
A man so respected in the game. Brazilian coach Dunga’s comments about Ivory Coast during the 2010 World Cup were telling
‘With Eriksson, Ivory Coast has great balance. We used to see them play and they didn’t have this type of organisation that they have now’.
The man who smashed the England international senior men’s managerial selection process but also a man who was so well respected by his peers and former players alike.
The image of Eriksson taking charge of Liverpool at Anfield this summer was a fitting last act for a man who was well travelled and well received by the footballing public at large.
The English media may have thrown their best digs but Eriksson rose above it. A footballing gentlemen. A class act. RIP Sven-Goran Eriksson!