Eriksson reveals English interest

February 14, 2010

Sven-Goran Eriksson claims he was contacted about a new job opportunity in England after leaving his Notts County. The former England boss left County after a takeover by Ray Trew.

After spending heavily in the first months, a summer buyout by the Munto Finance consortium dried out the transfer funds at the club. Eriksson, who accused Munto Finance of being “fake people”, is looking for work again, “I’m a gypsy and I’ve been a gypsy for many years. It doesn’t matter where I live as long as it’s a good football project.”

Eriksson confirmed that he has received a job opportunity in England from an agent.

“Yes, one, but it’s agents and it’s really nothing before you have spoken to a club or an association in a country and put your name on a piece of paper

“I will not rule out anything at this moment. Agents have already started to phone me with a lot of different jobs.

But I prefer to wait until I have a real offer from a club chairman or chairman of a country. Before that it’s only rumours.”

The 62-year-old doubts whether County will ever achieve the ambitions expressed by Munto Finance. The club is currently chasing promotion from League Two.

He said of the new owners: “They made it very clear it’s not going to be a project to try to take Notts County to the Premier League, maybe not even to the Championship, and that’s why I was there.

“When I came first it was a dream, it was a big project, and I liked it very much.

“We thought it was genuine and it seemed to be genuine in the beginning.

“But at the end there was no money and they disappeared.

“They seem to be fake people, all of them.

“They just disappeared without any explanation. I feel they cheated the whole club, all the fans, the players, coaching staff, everyone.

“I don’t know where they are today. They never phoned me back.

“They just went away and left the club with big problems, lots of debts, and myself and the chairman Peter Trembling tried extremely hard to bring investors to the club and people to take over.

“We were close many times but at the end it ended up as it did unfortunately.”

The club are seventh in League Two, but with games in hand on the teams above them, and Eriksson said, “I think they can be promoted this season.

“If you get promoted to a higher division you have to invest money, and I don’t think that will happen, I’m sure it will not.”

Tags: ambitions, club chairman, consortium, debts, doubts, England, finance, first it was a dream, football project, gypsy, investors, job opportunity, jobs, Notts County, Peter Trembling, piece of paper, premier league, Ray Trew, Sven Goran Eriksson, takeover, trew

2009: Honduras joins USA, Mexico in World Cup

December 22, 2009

To some, which teams would get to the World Cup from CONACACAF was clear.

After one game of the final round of CONCACAF qualifying – or the “hexagonal”, former international coach Bora Milutinovic made what many thought was a bold prediction.

“Mexico, USA and Honduras will be the first three,” he said when spied by a reporter in Columbus, Ohio, an hour after the United States beat Mexico 2-0 on February 11.

Milutinovic, who had coached all three teams, including Costa Rica, was amazingly prophetic.

Mexico and the United States have made it a habit, both qualifying in each of the last five World Cups. Honduras clinched a berth for the first time in more than a generation — since 1982.

The odd team out was Costa Rica, which had qualified for the 2002 and 2006 tournaments.

For the second time in three qualifying cycles, the Mexicans needed coach Javier Aguirre to rescue their campaign at the start of the final round. Sven Goran-Eriksson was fired as coach and Aguirre was brought in the rescue an underachieving side. He accomplished that feat in 2001.

Given a new direction and vitality, the Mexicans gained momentum and qualified as the hottest team in CONCACAF. They clinched a spot behind a 4-1 home win over El Salvador at Estadio Azteca October 10 to finish with a 6-1-3 record and 19 points.

The United States likewise claimed their place in the 32-team South Africa field with a game to spare, outlasting Honduras 3-2 in San Pedro Sula to earn a sixth straight trip to the World Cup and finish atop the qualifying standings (6-2-2, 20) – one point ahead of Mexico.

Conor Casey, who had never started a qualifier or an important international match and who had a 14-game scoreless streak, scored twice for the Americans. The encounter was so riveting that the capacity crowd applauded the effort, despite the home side going down to defeat when Honduran veteran Carlos Pavon put an 87th-minute penalty kick over the bar.

That sent the last berth down to the last match day to decide between Honduras and Costa Rica.

Costa Rica needed at least a draw against the United States in Washington and loss by Honduras in El Salvador. A Honduras victory would require a Costa Rica victory for the Ticos to advance.

Neither scenario occurred.

Pavon atoned for his penalty miss four days earlier with a 65th-minute tally to give Honduras (5-1-4, 16 points) a 1-0 victory and a chance to go to the World Cup. But its efforts seemed in vain, with Costa Rica taking a 2-0 first-half lead over the United States and still leading 2-1 heading into extra time.

But U.S. defender Jonathan Bornstein scored 4 1/2 minutes into stoppage time, lifting the Americans to a 2-2 draw and earning himself hero status in Honduras.

Costa Rica (5-1-4, 16 points), was denied its berth on goal difference, but had another opportunity to qualify in a two-leg playoff against Uruguay, the fifth-place finisher from South America.

However, the Central American side lost at home to Uruguay in the first leg in San Jose, Costa Rica, on November 14, and wasn’t able to overtake the South Americans four days later in Montevideo, settling for a 1-1 draw and only hopes for 2012.

By Michael Lewis

Tags: aguirre, berth, bold prediction, capacity crowd, Carlos Pavon, Central American, COLUMBUS, concacaf, conor casey, El Salvador, estadio azteca, Honduras, hottest team, international coach, Javier Aguirre, jonathan bornstein, mexicans, Mexico, mexico and the united states, michael lewis, Montevideo, new direction, Ohio, penalty kick, San Jose, san pedro sula, scoreless streak, South Africa, South America, South Americans, straight trip, Sven Goran Eriksson, uruguay, vitality, Washington, World Cup, world cups

Eriksson vows to stay at County after coach quits

December 16, 2009

Sven-Goran Eriksson, the former England manager, insisted he would stay on as director of football at English fourth-tier side Notts County after Hans Backe quit as the club’s boss.

Backe spent only seven weeks as County’s manager after being appointed by fellow Swede Eriksson on a three-year contract in succession to Ian McParland.

Backe told the squad he was leaving ahead of training here on Tuesday and his exit immediately sparked speculation about Eriksson’s position with County.

However, in a statement on the club’s official website, nottscountyfc.co.uk, Eriksson reiterated he was not leaving Meadow Lane.

“Everyone at the club is disappointed that Hans has chosen to tender his resignation,” said Eriksson.

“This has come as a surprise to all of us in the context of recent results on the pitch and the completion of the management buy-out of the football club by Peter Trembling.

“I am aware that Hans’s decision has led to speculation about my own position here at Notts County.

“I wish to make it clear that I believe the management buy-out is a positive first step for the club and we look forward to confirming further investments for the future.

“I continue to enjoy my work at Notts County and, together with Peter Trembling, I hope to progress to the goals that we have set.”

Last week County chairman Trembling completed a takeover from Middle East owners Munto Finance, only five months after the latter took control with an ambitious bid to turn the club into a top-flight side within five years.

Backe was in the dugout for just nine matches, his final game in charge being Saturday’s 2-1 home defeat by Accrington Stanley – a result that left Midlands side County in sixth place and still challenging for a playoff place but 10 points behind leaders Rochdale.

Trembling said he was disappointed Backe had not stuck with the club while he talked to new investors, telling Sky Sports: “Sven and I are working round the clock on that and, come the middle of January, we could be in an extremely healthy position and not only back on track but maybe further down the line from where we expected to be, so I am disappointed that Hans has not waited around for that to happen.”

Assistant manager Dave Kevan will take charge for next week’s trip to Bournemouth.

Munto promised to invest millions of pounds when the consortium took over the club but former Arsenal and England defender Sol Campbell was the only high-profile arrival and he walked out after just one match.

County also had to deal with a winding-up petition issued by the High Court in November in relation to a six-figure debt accrued before Munto took over.

NOTTINGHAM, England (AFP)

Tags: accrington stanley, arsenal, Bournemouth, county chairman, Dave Kevan, director of football, dugout, England, england manager, final game, five months, football club, goran eriksson, hans backe, Ian McParland, mcparland, Meadow Lane, Middle East, Midlands, Nottingham, nottingham england, Notts County, nottscountyfc, Peter Trembling, resignation, rochdale, seven weeks, Sky Sports, speculation, Stanley, Sven, Sven Goran Eriksson, swede, top flight

Notts County coach quits

December 15, 2009

Notts County manager Hans Backe has quit after only seven weeks in the hotseat at the League Two side.

The 57-year-old Backe replaced Ian McParland on a three-year contract on 27 October and is close to former England coach and County’s director of football Sven-Goran Eriksson.

Backe told the squad he was leaving ahead of training.

Last week chairman Peter Trembling completed a takeover from Middle East owners Munto Finance, only five months after the latter took control with an ambitious bid to turn County into a top-flight side within five years.

Backe was in the dugout for just nine matches, his final game in charge being Saturday’s 2-1 home defeat by Accrington Stanley.

Assistant manager Dave Kevan will take charge for next week’s trip to Bournemouth.

County also had to deal with a winding-up petition issued by the High Court in November in relation to a six-figure debt accrued before Munto took over.

NOTTINGHAM (AFP)

Tags: accrington stanley, arsenal, consortium, Dave Kevan, director of football, dugout, England, england coach, final game, five months, hans backe, high profile, hotseat, kevan, Middle East, Nottingham, Notts County, Peter Trembling, seven weeks, six figure, sol campbell, Stanley, Sven Goran Eriksson, takeover, top flight, winding up petition

Eriksson ‘pivotal’ to Notts County future

December 15, 2009

League Two side Notts County are keen on retaining the services of Sven-Goran Eriksson and if new owner Peter Trembling’s claim is to believed, Sven’s worldwide presence would attract major investment to the club.

The former England boss looks set to stay at Meadow Lane as director of football after Trembling bought the League Two club from Munto Finance. Trembling acquired a 90% shareholding for £1 on Saturday.

The new owner has not put any cash into the club, but insists he has secured investment from unnamed backers to meet its financial obligations.

Trembling insists the club remains ambitious and, with Eriksson, he will now try to attract more investment to climb the leagues.

Trembling told the Nottingham Post: “Sven is a world-renowned name and people will want to invest if he is part of the project.

“I think there is a lot of attraction in Notts County, it’s the oldest league club in the world and we have also got relatively little debt.

“Sven adds an enormous amount to that without a doubt and he is pivotal to what we are trying to achieve at this club.”

Trembling added: “I’ve had inquiries from potential investors already but it would have been inappropriate for me to start discussions with them before we got the deal over the line.”

He explained: “We will ensure they fit our own ‘right and proper persons’ test even before we embark on what the Football League are looking for.”

Tags: boss, director of football, doubt, England, finance, financial obligations, football league, goran eriksson, inquiries, investors, league club, Meadow Lane, Nottingham, Notts County, Peter Trembling, proper persons, renowned name, Sven, Sven Goran Eriksson, worldwide presence

Ancelotti knows Chelsea premiership race far from over

December 5, 2009

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti admits he knows from the bitter experience that the Premier League title race is far from over despite his side’s healthy lead at the top of the table.

Ancelotti has a golden opportunity to win the league in his first season in England as the Blues headed into this weekend’s fixtures five points clear of second placed Manchester United.

The Italian has masterminded victories over all of Chelsea’s big four rivals, with their 3-0 win at Arsenal triggering a deluge of praise for Ancelotti and his players.

But the former AC Milan and Juventus coach has no intention of planning his title party just yet.

He only has to think about to 2000, when his Juventus team squandered a nine-point lead in Serie A to gift the title to Sven Goran Eriksson’s Lazio on the final day of the season, to remember how much can change in the final weeks of the campaign.

“In 2000 with Juventus we had a nine point lead and we lost the title in the last game. It was a difficult holiday after that,” Ancelotti said.

“I don’t know what happened. It was not easy to recover when we lost points in the end. Lazio won the title with Sven Goran Eriksson, so I helped him get the England job. But I never received any money for it!”

Although Ancelotti is widely regarded as one of the best coaches in Europe after leading Milan to two Champions League triumphs, the 50-year-old has only won a domestic league title once during his managerial career – with Milan in 2004.

He may never have a better chance to double that tally. With Liverpool and Arsenal wobbling, Chelsea have the experience and depth of squad to end United’s three-year reign as champions.

Ancelotti insists there would be no repeat of that Juventus meltdown with his current squad, who possess the experience and strength in depth to last the pace.

“I would like to arrive at the last eight games with nine points more than the next time this season. I think it is difficult to repeat the same situation,” he said.

“All the teams are behind us at the moment, although they can still have a possibility to return to the top.”

Key to Chelsea’s title challenge will be the form and fitness of captain John Terry, whose magnificent display in the win at Arsenal emphasised the England defender’s importance to the Blues.

Manchester City were prepared to give Terry 200,000 pounds a week to tempt him to Eastlands in the close-season, but the centre-back eventually snubbed their offer and Ancelotti believes the man he compares to Milan legend Paolo Maldini will never leave Stamford Bridge.

“I never thought in the close season that John Terry would go to play for another club. He is the symbol of this club,” Ancelotti said.

“It was not neccessary to speak with him because he wanted to stay at Chelsea.

“I hope for him and I hope for Chelsea he will spend his whole career here.

“His behaviour shows that he is a fantastic captain. You can compare John Terry with Paolo Maldini. They are the same, they have the same technical and leadership quality.

“He doesn’t have a physical problem. He can do a very long career like Maldini.

“John Terry for me is not a surprise. As a player and a man he is as I thought.

“I am happy because players like John are a big advantage for a coach. The other players have a very good example to follow. To know what to do on the training ground they just have to look at how John works.”

COBHAM (AFP)

Tags: ac milan, arsenal, better chance, bitter experience, captain. You, carlo ancelotti, champions league, CHELSEA, deluge, eight games, England, england job, Europe, five points, golden opportunity, john terry, juventus, last game, lazio, Liverpool, managerial career, Manchester, manchester city, manchester united, meltdown, Milan, paolo maldini, premier league, rivals, Sven Goran Eriksson, tally, triumphs

Ancelotti keen to avoid repeat of title race meltdown

December 5, 2009

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti admits he knows from the bitter experience that the Premier League title race is far from over despite his side’s healthy lead at the top of the table.