Sven-Goran Eriksson open to managerial return and jokes about Liverpool job
Sven-Goran Eriksson isn't ruling out a return to football management – but admits the Liverpool job might be a bit out of his reach.
Eriksson, 74, has been out of the game since a brief three-month stint in charge of the Philippines between between 2018 and 2019. But the flame still burns bright for a man who began his coaching career with Swedish minnows Degerofs all the way back in 1977 – some 24 years before he landed the England job.
The likeable Swede endured a succession of near misses with the Three Lions, crashing out at the quarter-final stages of the 2002 World Cup, 2004 European Championship and 2006 World Cup.
READ MORE: Sven-Goran Eriksson reveals toughest thing about managing England – and it's not WAGs
In a managerial career that has also taken in stops at the likes of Lazio, Benfica, Manchester City and three Chinese Super League clubs, not to mention various other places, Eriksson hasn't quite given up the ghost just yet.
Speaking exclusively to Daily Star Sport, Eriksson reveals that he could be tempted back into management, although he doesn't expect Liverpool to come calling for his services any time soon.
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"Yes, maybe," Eriksson replies with a smile when asked over Zoom. Before adding: "Liverpool give me a three-year contract? I don’t think they will!"
We suggest that stranger things have happened in football – Julien Faubert once moved from West Ham to Real Madrid – but the affable Eriksson isn't having any of it.
Still with a grin on his face, he continues: "You know, that’s impossible! I have a very good life and I am very happy." Still, the pull of management is a difficult one for Eriksson to shake off.
"Sitting on the bench, that’s the best view you can have," he says. "Trying to be more clever than the other one sitting on the other bench."
However, there's one managerial foe Eriksson doesn't want to see again – a certain Luiz Felipe Scolari. Scolari – or Big Phil, as he is otherwise known – twice knocked Eriksson's England out of major tournaments on penalties – first in 2004 and then in 2006.
After some deliberation, Eriksson names the Brazilian, who is also 74 and now in charge at Athletico Paranaense, as his toughest managerial opponent.
"That must be the Portugal guy, Luiz Felipe Scolari," he says. Adding: "He knocked out England twice in penalty shootouts, so I never beat him."
Sven-Göran Eriksson surprised fans at a Toshiba watchparty, after research found 45% of fans plan to watch this winter’s tournament on TV from home – with more than one in ten set to pick up a new TV ready for the football. See more @ToshibaTVEurope.
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