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Eriksson's English challenge ‘Outsider’ coach must work miracles for England
As England's first-ever "foreign" coach, Sven Goran Eriksson should know that he will be judged in a far harsher light than his locally reared predecessors. If the English media and fans aren't patient with their own, you can bet that nothing less than perfection will save the Italian-based Swede from harsh criticism. Coming from a country where foreign coaches are the norm rather than the exception, I am familiar with the unrealistically high expectations that come with the appointment of "an overseas messiah." Four years ago, ex-England boss Terry Venables was given the job of taking Australia to the World Cup Finals. Even though eyebrows were raised by his high salary and personal demands, Venables' selection as coach was met with great excitement amongst players and fans. Surely a man who'd done so much for a bigger footballing nation could work miracles elsewhere. Concessions were made because everyone was so sure he would get the results on the pitch. Venables was allowed to base himself in London and not asked to promote the game in Australia or even grant regular interviews to the media. At first, his appointment seemed like a masterstroke. Elusive overseas-based players clamored to make themselves available for national duty, and there were rave-reviews about Venables' insight at training sessions. Australia put together a string of good results in friendly matches, including surprise victories over strong European teams. And then the Socceroos moved to the brink of qualification for the 1998 World Cup finals in France after winning the Oceania zone and earning a playoff with the third-placed Asian team, Iran. After a 1-1 draw in Tehran where Harry Kewell scored, Australia led 2-0 with only 20 minutes to go in the return-leg in Melbourne, within reach of its second-ever appearance in the World Cup finals, and Venables seemed like a genius. But then the Aussies conceded two late goals before a stunned capacity crowd, allowing the Iranians to qualify for France '98 on away goals. Suddenly the honeymoon was over for Venables, who was criticized for not being able to make the changes to a tiring team that would have preserved their lead. Journalists and local experts started to question if the expensive Venables' appointment was such a good idea after all. Soon after, the cockney coach and Soccer Australia agreed to part ways. The current Socceroo coach is Queensland-born Frank Farina, a former striker who played in Italy and Belgium but is as Australian as meat pies and kangaroos. Like Venables, who was a leading candidate to take over the England job, Eriksson eventually will be judged solely on results. There is one theory that the English are sometimes more critical of their own. Who can forget the vilification of current Watford boss Graham Taylor when England failed to qualify for the 1994 World Cup finals? But there'll be no holding back if Eriksson isn't able to transform the talented but underachieving England. His tactical skills and suave, dignified air will be ridiculed by the British tabloid press if England aren't world-beaters on the pitch. For all his worldly experience, Eriksson may not be prepared for the kind of stress and scrutiny that come with the aptly named "toughest job in football." Jason Dasey is co-host of World Sport, the international sports show that airs live on CNN/Sports Illustrated and CNN International.
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