Eriksson ready to return - out of England
(skysports.com)Updated: 2006-11-06 15:27
Sven Goran Eriksson has said he is ready to return to management and confirmed he has already held talks about a number of positions outside of England.
 Sweden's Sven-Goran Eriksson (R), former manager of England's national soccer team, arrives for the official launch of a charity program in Doha November 4, 2006. [Reuters] |
Eriksson has been linked with several jobs since stepping down as England boss at the end of the World Cup, with Newcastle, West Ham, Internazionale, South Africa and Nigeria all reportedly keen.
The Swede is determined to get back into football and is open to offers from interested parties.
"I have been ready for a long time. It is the first time in my life that I have been without a job for such a long time, and I am talking about 30 years," he told Sky Sports News.
"I am not used to it and I hope the right job will come soon.
"In football it has always been the same when a team loses one or two games. It is the same in Italy - I have been linked with Inter every time they lose.
"In England, with the two clubs you talk about [Newcastle and West Ham], there has been no contact at all. It is only rumours.
"There have been some discussions, but with no English clubs and no Italian clubs, some others, but I am waiting for the right job and I hope it will come soon."
Eriksson admits it is flattering to hear his name crop up so often, but stressed that he was looking for the right opportunity.
Listing what he would like to see from his new employers, Eriksson said: "Ambition from the club or the country, and the chance to achieve the objectives which I put up.
"It can be reach Europe, to win the league or to reach the Champions League, whichever it is.
"That is the most important. Where the club is - it's not that that important to me.
"The day when they don't link you with any club at all it is much worse."
Eriksson also offered his views on this season's Premiership, which he revealed he was still following closely.
"I don't follow it as I have done for the last five years but of course I look at English, Italian and Spanish football," he explained.
"It would be good for the Premiership if the race is very tight but I don't know. I suppose when you come to February, March, April, if those teams are still in the UEFA Champions League, they will have matches twice a week, and that is when you will see who has the better squad.
"They all have different styles but they all play good football. When Arsenal are on fire it is very good to see because they move the ball so quickly, but Chelsea and Manchester United are playing very well at the moment and Liverpool will come I think."
Sir Alex Ferguson celebrates 20 years as Manchester United manager on Monday and Eriksson is full of admiration for the Scottish tactician.
"I have to take off my hat and say congratulations because it is amazing to stay at one club for 20 years. And with the results he has had, so it is fantastic," he praised.
"I think he has been very, very important for the history of Manchester United. He has built many teams and I think he is building a new one. It is a great achievement.
"He is a fighter and an excellent manager."
Eriksson paid tribute to Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho too, and the personality he has brought to The Premiership.
"Mourinho is a character, especially in press conferences. From what I know of him I think he is a very good man and he was always very helpful when I was England manager.
"And of course he is an excellent manager. His record over the past five or six years is better than anybody else."
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