[Football] Sven Goran Eriksson

[Washie]

Sven was underrated as England manager, I think. We always qualified easily for tournaments and we came close ish a couple of times. People say we should have won something with those players, and on paper we should have done. But something was deeply wrong with that England setup at the time, and only Southgate (and Ashworth) have managed to turn it around. History should judge him as a decent manager in a dreadful setup.

If you look at how we were knocked out of those tournaments, they were actually good reasons we lost. In 2002 we lost to a Brazil side who I still believe were the greatest national team ever with the like of Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho, Roberto Carlos, Gilberto Siva Denilson and Cafu in their primes. The in 2004 we lost on penalties when a Sol Campbell goal was disallowed for bullshit reasons. 2006 we lost to Portugal again after losing Beckham to Injury and Wayne Rooney to a red card. However this was again on penalties. He only lost 5 competitive games.

 

[bluenitsuj]

If you look at how we were knocked out of those tournaments, they were actually good reasons we lost. In 2002 we lost to a Brazil side who I still believe were the greatest national team ever with the like of Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho, Roberto Carlos, Gilberto Siva Denilson and Cafu in their primes. The in 2004 we lost on penalties when a Sol Campbell goal was disallowed for bullshit reasons. 2006 we lost to Portugal again after losing Beckham to Injury and Wayne Rooney to a red card. However this was again on penalties. He only lost 5 competitive games.

Brazil 1970 were the greatest team ever.

 

[Washie]

Brazil 1970 were the greatest team ever.

I disagree but fair enough.

 

[Weststander]

All the best to Sven.

It’s interesting that his old players love the bloke. The haphazard FA lurched from strict disciplinarian to soft touch managers, Sven obviously in the latter category.

 

[birthofanorange]

Anybody, anywhere, who is diagnosed with terminal cancer, deserves sympathy. It's a pile of shit.

 

[FCB]

 

[The Lemming Stomper]

Chuffed for him today

 

[The Grockle]

Glad he got to fulfil his dream by managing the home team at Anfield. Very sad news about his cancer diagnosis.

He seems to be very highly regarded in the football world and his former players always speak highly of him.

I'd echo what others have said, he did a solid job eith England in a period where we always seemed destined for failure despite having such a talented squad.