GENTLEMAN SVEN`
Late Tackle Football Magazine|November - December 2024
IF GARETH Southgate was judged as a failure as England manager after failing to win a major trophy, where does that leave the late Sven-Goran Eriksson? The country's first foreign manager, appointed by a Scotsman, Adam Crozier, back in 2001, only managed to reach three quarter-finals, but his popularity never wavered with supporters.
GENTLEMAN SVEN`

The gentleman Swede may have arrived with a glittering CV at club level, but the selection of Kevin Keegan's successor was controversial and immensely unpopular at the time.

After Keegan had decided to resign in the lavatory at old Wembley, there was a persuasive clamouring for the Football Association to reappoint either Bobby Robson or Terry Venables.

The decision to head overseas did not sit well with the purists. Surely the England national team should be managed by an Englishman? Eriksson addressed all the criticism in his usual calm and calculated manner. In his first press conference he provided the perfect retort: "I am a Swede. I was offered the job and here I am." He had worked in Italian football for 14 years and had developed the skin of a rhino. We would soon learn that nothing tendered to ruffle Sven.

It didn't take him long to win those doubters round.

His reign began with a comfortable 3-0 victory over a Spanish side containing Casillas, Mendieta, Raul, Enrique and a certain Pep Guardiola.

By the September, he had transformed England into potential World Cup contenders for the 2002 finals in Japan and South Korea.

An unforgettable performance and stunning Michael Owen hat-trick resulted in a 5-1 victory over Germany in their own Olympiastadion.

It was Germany's first ever defeat on home soil in World Cup qualifying.

In barely eight months, Eriksson had restored a confidence, belief and pride in the national team after a dismal performance at the European Championships under Keegan.

That night in Munich made the world sit up and take notice of the so-called 'Golden Generation'. The fact that England had a Swede in the technical area faded Nationwide into insignificance.With a serial winner at club level now in charge, England were genuine contenders for major honours again.

Eriksson was no stranger to success and getting the best out of elite players.

This story is from the November - December 2024 edition of Late Tackle Football Magazine.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the November - December 2024 edition of Late Tackle Football Magazine.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM LATE TACKLE FOOTBALL MAGAZINEView All
ISLANDS OF OPPORTUNITY
Late Tackle Football Magazine

ISLANDS OF OPPORTUNITY

SAM TODD REPORTS ON A NEW DESIGNED TO GIVE FOUR WOMEN'S TEAMS VITAL COMPETITIVE MATCH ACTION...

time-read
4 mins  |
November - December 2024
THE JOY OF GOING AWAY
Late Tackle Football Magazine

THE JOY OF GOING AWAY

ON THE radio Gabrielle sings about dreams.

time-read
6 mins  |
November - December 2024
FORGOTTEN FOOTBALL NATIONS
Late Tackle Football Magazine

FORGOTTEN FOOTBALL NATIONS

THE world has always been changing, with conflicts arising throughout history.

time-read
6 mins  |
November - December 2024
DREAM, BELIEVE, ACHIEVE
Late Tackle Football Magazine

DREAM, BELIEVE, ACHIEVE

THE INSPIRATION A PAN-DISABILITY FOOTBALL CLUB MAKING BIG STRIDES IN THEIR COMMUNITY

time-read
4 mins  |
November - December 2024
FLYING WITH THE BEES
Late Tackle Football Magazine

FLYING WITH THE BEES

DAVID OHL REFLECTS ON BEING A LIFELONG BRENTFORD FAN - AND THE CHANGES HE S SEEN OVER MORE THAN 60 YEARS...

time-read
5 mins  |
November - December 2024
A GROUNDHOPPER'S GUIDE TO GOOD GRUB
Late Tackle Football Magazine

A GROUNDHOPPER'S GUIDE TO GOOD GRUB

TREVOR HEFT ON AN IMPORTANT AND TASTY PART OF THE MATCHDAY RITUAL...

time-read
4 mins  |
November - December 2024
JAPHET'S JOURNEY
Late Tackle Football Magazine

JAPHET'S JOURNEY

BARNABY ROSTANT TAKES A LOOK AT DEFENDER JAPHET TANGANGA'S HIGHS AND LOWS...

time-read
3 mins  |
November - December 2024
FAMOUS OWNERS IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Late Tackle Football Magazine

FAMOUS OWNERS IN THE SPOTLIGHT

SAM SHEPPEY LOOKS AT THE BIG NAMES WHO HAVE BEEN TEMPTED TO INVEST IN ENGLISH FOOTBALL...

time-read
3 mins  |
November - December 2024
GOALKEEPERS ARE A LITTLE NUTS
Late Tackle Football Magazine

GOALKEEPERS ARE A LITTLE NUTS

JONNY BRICK LISTENS IN AS WATFORD FAN PODCASTS TRY TO MAKE SENSE OF WHERE THE CLUB THEY LOVE FINDS ITSELF...

time-read
4 mins  |
November - December 2024
VOICES OF THE VIC
Late Tackle Football Magazine

VOICES OF THE VIC

JONNY BRICK LISTENS IN AS WATFORD FAN PODCASTS TRY TO MAKE SENSE OF WHERE THE CLUB THEY LOVE FINDS ITSELF...

time-read
5 mins  |
November - December 2024