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Up to the job Eriksson ready for 'biggest challenge' of his life
Updated: Friday November 03, 2000 12:35 PM
ST ALBANS, England (Reuters) -- Sven Goran Eriksson said on Thursday he could not resist the challenge of becoming the first foreigner to coach England, a team starved of success since the 1966 World Cup. The 52-year-old Swede told reporters on a flying visit to England that he was not worried about handling the pressure in a country where national managers are routinely savaged by an unforgiving media. "I have been at a good school for the last few years in Italy where it's not easy when things go badly. It will be the biggest challenge so far in my life." The Lazio coach admitted his knowledge of English soccer and players was sketchy but said the job was one he could not refuse. "It's a big job, a difficult job, but a great, great honor," said Eriksson. "It's one of the most prestigious jobs you can have as a manager, I am very, very honored and very, very pleased. You can't say no when you're offered the managership of England. "I feel very happy about doing a contract of five years with the FA. I think I will stay five years. I hope so -- even seven." The Swede said the money on offer -- reported in the media to be some US$2.6 million a year -- was not a factor in his decision and he could have earned more in Spain or Italy. "I did not take this job for the money, nor for the weather. I took it because it's a big challenge," he said after arriving in rainswept southern England from Rome. "Money is not the most important thing. England -- It's a big job, it's a big challenge. I will be very proud when I go out and hear the national hymn." Hoping for an early start Eriksson said he hoped to be available to coach England in three World Cup qualifiers early in 2001 even though his contract does not start until July 1. Eriksson said talks with Lazio were underway to allow him to coach the team in two qualifiers in March and one in June. "The games in March and June -- we're still talking to Lazio. We have a lot of time to talk. I hope that I can do it but I'm not sure. I think it might happen," he said. England has taken one point from its first two qualifiers but Eriksson, who has won league titles with clubs in Sweden, Portugal and Italy, said he believed the 1966 Cup winners could still qualify for the 2002 finals. "Of course you always have to believe that. Before you are automatically out, you always think you can still do it, and I think so, yes." Eriksson said he had been surprised to be approached by England after the resignation of Kevin Keegan following the 1-0 defeat by Germany last month in a qualifier. But he had leapt at the offer because he was a big fan of English soccer. "It was a big surprise for me to get the offer. There are many good managers in England," he said, adding he sympathized with traditionalists who expressed dismay that England had shunned homegrown talent to appoint a foreigner. "I can understand the people are saying England should have an English manager," he declared. But he recalled that Sweden had an English manager, George Raynor, when it reached the 1958 World Cup final. Well-prepared "I've always been a big fan of English football since I was very young. When I was young I came here to learn about football and so I have always been very close to England and English football," he said. "I don't know everything about English football because I've been working for the last 13 years in Italy and Portugal. But my clubs have played a lot of English teams and I've seen a lot of English football. "I have some months to learn and when I start the job I will be very well prepared." Eriksson has worked with very few English players during his 24 years as coach -- only David Platt and Des Walker at Sampdoria -- but he said it was difficult to lure players away from teams such as Arsenal or Manchester United. "Today there is only one English player playing outside England (Steve McManaman at Real Madrid). The football is too good here and they don't want to leave." Eriksson was quick to praise English players -- particularly midfielder David Beckham -- but said it would not be fair for him to make contact before a friendly with Italy in November. "For sure there are many, many English players playing in England who could play in any club in Europe," he said. "I don't think England have done so badly that they need to drastically change. You need to be positive. You need to believe you are strong and we are strong."
Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
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