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Crisis talks Eriksson to stay on after meeting with Lazio president
Updated: Monday January 08, 2001 11:17 AM
ROME (Reuters) -- Lazio kept faith with coach Sven Goran Eriksson on Monday despite speculation he would quit or be sacked and take over as England manager immediately. Eriksson met club officials at Lazio's Formello training ground outside Rome amid rumors he would be replaced by former Italy coach Dino Zoff. But shortly after the meeting broke up a Lazio spokesman confirmed the Swede was to stay on. "Eriksson spoke to president Sergio Cragnotti and club officials Massimo Cragnotti and Nello Governatore today. He remains Lazio's coach," the spokesman told Reuters. Asked if Eriksson would see out his contract with Lazio until the end of June, the spokesman said: "That is the situation at the moment." Eriksson's future appeared to hang in the balance following Sunday's 2-1 defeat at the Olympic Stadium against Napoli, which had won only two of its previous 12 matches this season. The result left the champions 11 points adrift of leaders and city rivals AS Roma. "The players still had Christmas cake in their feet," Lazio president Sergio Cragnotti said. "On Monday I will meet with Eriksson to try and understand how this has happened and to see how we can find the way out of this tunnel." Italian media were convinced Eriksson would go. "Lazio have decided. Eriksson will no longer be their manager," Italian Web site calciomercato reported. "The coach will be replaced by Zoff. The news has not yet been officially announced." Eriksson has been under pressure at Lazio since October 31, when the English Football Association announced he would replace Kevin Keegan as England coach from July. Cragnotti has insisted the Swede will see out the season, despite inconsistent Serie A form and disappointing results in the Champions League. However, Eriksson now faces the prospect of a crisis of confidence and calls for his resignation from irate Lazio fans every time his side lose a match. Lazio is struggling in the Champions League, as well as the league, and faces title holder Real Madrid twice next month in ties that will probably decide their fate in the European tournament. Parma coach in troubleEriksson was not the only Serie A manager under scrutiny Monday. Parma coach Alberto Malesani was also facing trouble from his president after it lost 2-0 at home to Reggina, drawing the fire of Parma supporters. Despite a squad rich in international talent, including France defender Lilian Thuram, Portugal winger Sergio Conceicao and Brazilian striker Marcio Amoroso, Parma now lies 10th in Serie A and president Stefano Tanzi said he would be meeting with Malesani on Monday. "We will reflect in the coming hours and then decide. Obviously we are very disappointed -- just as our supporters are," said Tanzi. Tanzi's father, club owner Callisto Tanzi, said: "This is the worst moment in our recent history. We are at rock bottom." Former Bologna coach Renzo Ulivieri, out of work since he left Cagliari following relegation last season, is tipped to take over should Tanzi fire Malesani. However, former Chelsea manager Gianluca Vialli and former Netherlands coach and AC Milan player Frank Rijkaard are also seen as possible contenders. Former Fiorentina coach Malesani is in his third season with Parma. His most successful one came in 1998-99 when Parma won the UEFA Cup and the Italian Cup.
Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
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