Now it's Swede dreams for Mexico

Sven-Göran Eriksson's hiring as Mexico coach has been met with criticism, but the Swede is more successful than all of his predecessors. AP Luis Bueno's Mailbag Submit a comment or question for Luis. Name: Email: Hometown: Question: SEND

For years, the standing requirements for Mexican national-team were twofold: He must a) have a vast knowledge of Mexican players and the Mexican league; and b) preferably be born in Mexico. Oh, and a third requirement, which is pretty much a given: The candidate must speak Spanish.

Now, though, Mexico has turned in a completely different direction as Sven-Göran Eriksson was handed the reins to El Tricolor on Tuesday.

The Swede likely has little knowledge of the Mexican league and its players, was born in Sweden and speaks five languages -- Swedish, German, English, Portuguese and Italian -- but not Spanish.

So why then is he the ideal choice to replace Hugo Sánchez and guide Mexico to the 2010 World Cup? Because he goes against the norm.

Eriksson, 60, is the most accomplished coach to ever take over the Mexican national team. He's won league and cup titles in Sweden, Portugal and Italy and has had success in some high-pressure situations in those respective leagues.

But it's his time with England that provides hope for Mexico. With England, Eriksson was one of the most scrutinized managers in recent history. And although he didn't guide the Three Lions to a either a World Cup final or European final, Eriksson put his team in a position to succeed.

England twice reached the quarterfinals under Eriksson. In the two previous World Cups, England didn't fare as well. In 1998, England was bounced in the second round and missed out on the '94 World Cup altogether.

Eriksson's Euro 2004 finish was also superior than the previous one, as England reached the quarterfinals four years ago but failed to even get out of the group stage in '00. While many English pundits and supporters rejoiced when Eriksson left the England job, his successor, Steve McClaren, couldn't even qualify for Euro '08.

With Mexico, though, the task will be different than it was with England. While the Mexican media can be harsh, few outside of CONCACAF see Mexico as a world power and few expect much of Mexico at the World Cup other than a tough game. For Eriksson the scrutiny will actually be a notch or two below what he's used to.

Mexico has an astounding collection of young talent and a league burgeoning with capable prospects. Eriksson will have his pick of the litter, with established players such as Nery Castillo (whom Eriksson managed briefly this past season at Manchester City) and Andrés Guardado of Deportivo La Coruña; can't-miss prospects such as Giovani dos Santos of Barcelona, Carlos Vela of Arsenal and Cruz Azul youngster César Villaluz; and even more youthful talent in Hector Moreno of AZ Alkmaar, Patricio Araujo of Chivas de Guadalajara and Jorge Hernández of Atlas.

Perhaps the largest criticism of Eriksson in the days before his hiring was his lack of knowledge of Mexican soccer. And while it's unlikely he has anything but a casual knowledge of the Mexican league and national team -- if even that -- Eriksson has a great football mind and should have few problems acclimating himself to the league and its players.

Besides, Enrique Meza knew all about the Mexican league in '00 when he took over as national-team coach. Ricardo Lavolpe knew the ins and outs of Mexico when he took over in '02 and Sánchez knew the league frontward and backward prior to joining the national team in '06. Yet each is seen as a failure, Meza and Sánchez catastrophic ones.

Eriksson will breathe some much-needed fresh air into El Tri. He has no affiliation with any club in the league and thus will not feel intimidated or pressured into making decisions over players to appease such relationships. Eriksson will call players in strictly on merit and what's best for the national team.

More importantly, Eriksson knows what it takes to win a knockout game in the World Cup. Unlike Sánchez -- who talked about winning the World Cup the day he took over as coach but ultimately would have had problems even reaching South Africa had he stayed on -- Eriksson has twice coached a team into the World Cup quarterfinals.

Mexico has had plenty of success in the last four World Cups, but it's been limited to the first round. El Tri has advanced past the group stage in each of the last four World Cups but has been sent home packing in the first knockout game, by Bulgaria, Germany, the U.S. and Argentina.

Eriksson will bring results. He will qualify Mexico for the World Cup. Can he win one? Not too many managers can, but Sven will put Mexico in a position to succeed in South Africa. That's more than can be said about many of his predecessors.