The prospect of former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson taking over at Manchester City looks set to divide the long-suffering Blues fans.
Eriksson has been linked in media reports with the takeover plans of former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, less than a year after stepping down as England coach.
Certainly, the Swede has no shortage of credentials. His club career with the likes of Lazio and Benfica is one of league title and cup success, while his knowledge of life inside the pressure cooker of English football is pretty sound.
The problem is a lack of popularity among a big chunk of English football fans. Quarter-final exits at two World Cups and Euro 2004 are hardly calamitous, but they fell well short of the nation’s hopes for their much-hyped players. His private life also kept tabloid newspapers busy.
However, City need to replace Stuart Pearce and time is beginning to run short. The early response from City fans, according to their webchats on Wednesday, is that the Swede can expect a three-way split between those behind him, those against and a fair slice of the fan base who are willing to give him a chance, and a clean slate.
The Manchester City Supporters’ Trust confirm today that, according to what they’ve heard, both Juande Ramos and Co Adriaanse would be more popular choices. Yet given his standing in the world game, isn’t Eriksson entitled to more than just muted support?
Trevor Huggins, London
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3 comments so far
City fans should be optimistic about bagging such an experience manager. Whatever we think about Skeletor Sven’s stewardship of England, he has real club experience at a level the Blues would get a gippy neck gazing up at.
- Posted by Welsh Gothhe’ll have to have them top of the table after the first six games if he wants to keep the city fans on on side. otherwise it’s going to be ugly.
- Posted by redderthaneverJuande Ramos would be a bigger gamble, but well worth it, I’d have thought, considering Sevilla were also underachievers when he took ‘em on.
And what does gippy mean? Gammy?
- Posted by Rafa