Notts County’s Coup – Sven Goran Eriksson

Sven-Goran-Eriksson-speak-002 The news that Sven Goran Eriksson is to take up the inexplicit ‘Director of Football’ role at League Two side Notts County is possibly the shock of the summer transfer window. We all knew Ronaldo would leave it at some point and that City would be spending big but if you went down to your local bookmakers in June and wanted to put a £1 on the former England Manager taking up his role at Meadow Lane then you’d now be able to buy Newcastle off Mike Ashley for a reasonable sum. It is a bit baffling to say the least.

Sven has always had difficult time with the English Press, admittedly his eye for Ulrika Jonsson, Faria Alam and the infamous ‘Fake Sheik’ interview did not help his case. However the criticism went deeper than just affairs and fake job offers, it went straight to the core of Eriksson’s managerial ability.

We forget that this is a man that led IFK Göteborg to the Cup Winners Cup, won 5 trophies with Benfica, a Coppa Italia double with Roma and Sampdoria and 7 trophies with Lazio including the Cup Winners Cup (again) and Serie A. No doubt if he had been allowed to continue at Manchester City then silverware was inevitable.

Yet mention him in England and the reaction is one of disappointment. He did not lead England to World Cup or European Glory but 3 consecutive quarter-final appearances and only feeling the grim sensation of defeat in 3 competitive matches would suggest otherwise. Considering England’s last significant trophy was in 1966 then Erikssons record, on reflection, is pretty good.

The English press write him off too easily. Perhaps the move to Nottingham was partially influenced by money but there is still some life in the wily old manager yet. He may not be directly involved with the managerial aspect of the club but his experience, knowledge and understanding of what it takes to bring success to a club will be integral. I, for one, hope he succeeds and that the move that Harry Redknapp thought was an April Fool’s Joke turns everyone who ever doubted him into a laughing stock.