Former Manchester City, Lazio and England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson has agreed in principle to take over as head coach of Iraq.
The 70-year-old met up with Iraq FA officials in Istanbul last week, according to Sky Sports, and is keen to take over the side that failed to make this summer’s World Cup. The Swede’s representative, Saif Rubie, said Eriksson has several options
and will make his final decision next week.
Eriksson has managed around the world. His last job saw him coach Shenzhen, after two other jobs based in China with Guangzhou and Shanghai. Before that he was one of the most sought-after coaches in the game. His five-year stint as England boss saw him take the Three Lions to the last-eight of two World Cups and the European Championships. But with the “Golden Generation” of Wayne Rooney, John Terry, David Beckham and Co. at his disposal, many think he should have achieved more — a 5-1 win over Germany the highlight of a reign that promised much but ultimately did not deliver.
His other experiences of international management have seen him coach Mexico and Ivory Coast, both short unsuccessful stints lasting little more than a year at each.
It was in club management during the 1980s and 1990s that Eriksson made his name, taking unfancied Swedish outfit Gothenburg to the UEFA Cup title in 1982. That led him to Portuguese giants Benfica, where once again he achieved both domestic and continental success.
He then went to Italy where he managed Roma, Fiorentina and Lazio, winning Serie A with Lazio before becoming one of the best-paid coaches in the world with England. AN
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Sven-Goran Eriksson mulling move to become new Iraq boss
Sven-Goran Eriksson mulling move to become new Iraq boss
- Ericsson met with Iraq FA officials in Istanbul last week.
- Former England boss to decide in coming few days about the offer of becoming Iraq coach.
Liverpool’s Wirtz will score many more after Wolves winner, says Slot
- Liverpool signed Florian Wirtz in June for a reported fee of £100 million, with a further £16 million in potential bonuses
- The 22-year-old had failed to find the net in more than 20 appearances for Liverpool before scoring the winner in Saturday’s match
Florian Wirtz is beginning to find his feet at Liverpool and will keep getting better, manager Arne Slot said after the German midfielder scored his first goal for the Premier League champions in their 2-1 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Liverpool signed Wirtz in June for a reported fee of 100 million pounds ($135 million), with a further 16 million pounds in potential bonuses.
The 22-year-old had failed to find the net in more than 20 appearances for Liverpool before scoring the winner in Saturday’s match, and Slot said his performances had been undervalued due to football’s obsession with statistics.
“I’m quite sure it was a relief for him. This I could see after his reaction after he scored the goal – and the same I saw with his teammates. I think they were really happy for him,” Slot told reporters.
“In football – rightly so, maybe – we mainly get judged on results, and individuals mainly get judged on goals and assists. Sometimes we tend to forget what else there is to do during a game.”
The Dutch manager called on Wirtz to keep going after ending his drought.
“He’s had multiple good games for us but I also feel he gets better and better every single game he is playing for us. He gets fitter and fitter and was getting closer and closer to his first goal,” he added.
“Then it was not a surprise to me that he scored one today, but he would probably be the first one to understand that one goal is not enough.
“He will score many more goals for us than only this one, but I also liked his performance during large parts of the game today. I think he was special in a lot of moments.”
Liverpool, fourth in the standings, next host 16th-placed Leeds United in a league match on January 1.
Liverpool signed Wirtz in June for a reported fee of 100 million pounds ($135 million), with a further 16 million pounds in potential bonuses.
The 22-year-old had failed to find the net in more than 20 appearances for Liverpool before scoring the winner in Saturday’s match, and Slot said his performances had been undervalued due to football’s obsession with statistics.
“I’m quite sure it was a relief for him. This I could see after his reaction after he scored the goal – and the same I saw with his teammates. I think they were really happy for him,” Slot told reporters.
“In football – rightly so, maybe – we mainly get judged on results, and individuals mainly get judged on goals and assists. Sometimes we tend to forget what else there is to do during a game.”
The Dutch manager called on Wirtz to keep going after ending his drought.
“He’s had multiple good games for us but I also feel he gets better and better every single game he is playing for us. He gets fitter and fitter and was getting closer and closer to his first goal,” he added.
“Then it was not a surprise to me that he scored one today, but he would probably be the first one to understand that one goal is not enough.
“He will score many more goals for us than only this one, but I also liked his performance during large parts of the game today. I think he was special in a lot of moments.”
Liverpool, fourth in the standings, next host 16th-placed Leeds United in a league match on January 1.
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