12/21/24
October 10, 2003
Is Sven Goran Eriksson about to become the most hated figure in English football?: Until we sign a new manager, that is. It looks increasingly likely to happen, particularly as Claudio Ranieri apparently wants a job swap. If Eriksson jumps ship, whoever replaces him may have to contend with a player mutiny. So it looks as if England may be about to self-destruct, never mind Turkey.
Me too mate, but he's had it easier in the press than some England managers. If he swans off a few miles down the road to the Bridge, expect all that to change. Personally, I think he's done ok as England manager. Some superb results, but some untenably dire ones, but has produced a steady sort of success. Whoever is desperate enough to take the worst job in football will surely do a worse one ...
posted by walrus at 07:55 AM on October 10, 2003
Is he the one REALLY managing? I feel like there are bunch of people behind the scenes telling him who to pick...
posted by StarFucker at 08:23 AM on October 10, 2003
For goodness sake, English football 'self destructs' every two years. Remember the build up to the Italy qualifier a few years ago..
posted by aaronscullion at 09:03 AM on October 10, 2003
Anyone seen Mik Bassett - England manager. A great parody of the worst job in football. Sven's got to be one of the best managers we've had for a while (remember Graham Taylor?), though he has had the benefit of good players. Oh, and a flukey 5-1 win over a crap German side. I still think he'll be England manager until after Euro 2004, whatever the press might think, and only then might he hang his hat at Chelsea. But then, if we don't qualify, Sven might be leaving earlier.
posted by BigCalm at 10:19 AM on October 10, 2003
If his reason for leaving the England job is press and fan criticism, I doubt Chelski will be much better and will certainly offer many more opportunities for pain imply due to the difference in matches played. If SGE does leave, why wouldn't football-proud England insist on a native born manager? What's with these Swedes and Italians anyway?
posted by billsaysthis at 11:29 AM on October 10, 2003
He will get more pain than he imagines if he walks away from England. The press will crucify him.
posted by Fat Buddha at 12:25 PM on October 10, 2003
Why is this even a debate?! Why does Ranieri have to go? Why would SGE WANT to go to Chelsea?!
posted by StarFucker at 02:40 PM on October 10, 2003
Mmmm, money? And the chance to work with possibly the best collection of players money can buy? And a boss who can buy more? And not have to fight with other teams to get players to play for him every time a match comes up? I don't know.
posted by worldcup2002 at 03:32 PM on October 10, 2003
I feel sorry for Sven. All he wants to do is manage a football team, but he finds his every move and utterance tracked and commented upon. Being a civilised chap, it would be no surprise if he has had a gutsful and swans off.