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
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.
Villa’s FA Cup win at Spurs leaves Frank on the brink
- Frank is on the brink after Tottenham paid the price for conceding twice in a woeful first-half display
- If Frank can survive until next weekend, another loss at home to lowly West Ham would surely bring an end to his disastrous reign
LONDON: Aston Villa pushed Tottenham boss Thomas Frank closer to the sack with a 2-1 win over the Dane’s troubled side in the FA Cup third round on Saturday.
Frank is on the brink after Tottenham paid the price for conceding twice in a woeful first-half display in north London.
Emiliano Buendia put Villa ahead and Morgan Rogers increased the visitors’ lead.
Tottenham improved after the break but although Wilson Odobert reduced the deficit, they were unable to avoid a second successive defeat.
The loss ended in suitably ugly fashion for Tottenham as their frustrated players became embroiled in a clash with Villa after the final whistle as boos cascaded from the stands.
Tottenham have won just three of their past 14 games and sit 14th in the Premier League, only three places above where they ended last season under Ange Postecoglou.
If Frank can survive until next weekend, another loss at home to lowly West Ham would surely bring an end to his disastrous reign.
Frank added to his problems when he drank from a cup emblazoned with the branding of Spurs’ bitter rivals Arsenal before Tottenham’s 3-2 defeat at Bournemouth on Wednesday.
That embarrassing gaffe drew the ire of Tottenham supporters, who once again booed Frank and his players at the final whistle.
Now Frank is out of the Cup following the latest damp squib in the former Brentford manager’s wretched first season in charge.
Hired to replace the sacked Postecoglou, who ended the north Londoners’ 17-year trophy drought by winning the Europa League last season, Frank increasingly looks out of his depth at a club with Tottenham’s expectations.
Villa, who haven’t won the FA Cup since 1957, have now won twice at Tottenham this season after a 2-1 victory in the Premier League in October.
Unai Emery’s team also beat Tottenham in the FA Cup fourth round last season.
- Nowhere to hide -
Desperate to buy himself some breathing space, Frank ignored the trend of Premier League managers resting their key players in the FA Cup by naming a strong line-up.
To mark the 125th anniversary of becoming the first non-league side to lift the FA Cup, Tottenham wore a special commemorative kit with no player surnames on the back and the sponsors and club badge less visible than usual on the front.
Unfortunately for Frank, Tottenham’s first-half display was closer to a non-league effort than the standards expected of his expensively assembled team.
Villa took the lead from their first serious attack in the 22nd minute.
John McGinn and Donyell Malen carved through the creaky Tottenham defense with a rapid exchange of passes before Buendia lashed high into the roof of the net from 10 yards.
Villa fans taunted the Tottenham boss with chants of “Thomas Frank is an Arsenal fan.”
And Frank’s problems mounted when Brazil striker Richarlison limped off with an apparent hamstring injury.
Tottenham were rudderless and it was no surprise when Rogers bagged Villa’s second goal on the stroke of half-time.
It was the kind of flowing move that Frank has so rarely been able to inspire from his players as Buendia’s deft back-heel teed up Rogers for a clinical close-range finish.
Tottenham were improved in the second half and Odobert reduced the deficit in the 54th minute.
Randal Kolo Muani won possession in midfield and slipped a pass to Odobert, whose low drive arrowed into the far corner from 12 yards.
In a brief burst of pressure, Xavi Simons hit the post before Kolo Muani’s strike forced a save from Marco Bizot.
But their momentum fizzled out in the closing stages to leave Frank with nowhere to hide.
