By MSN’s Lee Harvey
Last updated July 04 2006
After Kevin Keegan walked out on the top job in English football, the Football Association needed someone with a more even temperament to steady the ship. Enter Swedish iceman Sven-Goran Eriksson.
With him in charge, England have reached the finals of every major tournament, losing only one qualification match along the way. But in England that simply isn't good enough. The country will always find a few reasons to have a go at the gaffer, justified or not.
So now England's World Cup is over, it's time to review the ten worst moments of Eriksson's reign:
1. April 2002 - Ulrika-gate
Just months before the World Cup starts, Sven’s affair with TV presenter Ulrika Jonsson hits the headlines.
2. June 2002 - Brazil 2 - 1 England
After Ronaldinho’s lucky/deliberate (delete as appropriate) free kick loops over David Seaman, England wilt in the Japanese heat and appear utterly clueless in their search for an equaliser against ten-man Brazil. Gareth Southgate describes Eriksson’s half time team talk: "At half time, we wanted Winston Churchill and got Iain Duncan-Smith instead."
3. February 2003 - England 1 - 3 Australia
Losing to Australia had become a habit (before England’s cricketers broke the cycle in fine style last year) but surely it couldn’t happen in a football match? It did. Cue derisive laughter from all corners of West London.
4. March 2003 - Kenyon-gate
Sven is spotted having a meeting with Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon. They apparently discuss whether Sven would like to quit the England job to become Chelsea manager. Cue outrage in the tabloid press. Sven sticks with England. Chelsea opt for some bloke in a coat from Portugal.
5. June 2004 - Knocked out of Euro 2004 on penalties
Do England players EVER practise penalties before a major tournament? Not if this result (or the ones against Germany in 1990 and 1996, and Argentina in 1998) is anything to go by. Portugal reach the semi-final. An exhausted England team returns home.
6. July 2004 - Faria Alam-gate
Where there’s smoke there’s Faria, as we always say. The Alam-bells ring as Sven’s affair with the Football Association secretary is revealed. They’re both unmarried, you know.
7. September 2005 - Northern Ireland 1 - 0 England
Sven brings in Shaun Wright-Phillips but unbalances the team by playing David Beckham in front of the back four. Beckham sprays a couple of trademark 60 yard passes and not much else. Beckham and Rooney then square up on the field. England are woeful. Well played Northern Ireland.
8. January 2006 - Fake sheikh-gate
Is Sven gullible and greedy enough to tell his secrets to a cockney dressed in a big white sheet? You betcha. Turns out that Michael Owen is unhappy at Newcastle and Wayne Rooney comes from a rough background. Also, Aston Villa is for sale and, for no extra cost, Sven can persuade David Beckham to play there. The game is finally up as the FA calls time on Sven for one indiscretion too many.
9. May 2006 – That squad announcement
After five years of arch pragmatism, Sven finally rolls the dice to the dismay of his coaching staff by including 17 year old Theo Walcott in his 23 man squad. A bold move in theory but not when you only name three other strikers; two of whom are carrying injuries. Michael Owen subsequently breaks down after one minute against Ecuador leaving England to play an ultra negative 4-5-1 formation for the remainder of the tournament.
10. June 2006 – Knocked out on penalties again
Having picked the wrong squad to start with and limped through to the last eight with a string of anaemic performances, Sven’s luck runs out as England once again crumble in a penalty shootout. Starved of possession, a frustrated Wayne Rooney is sent off for treading on Ricardo Carvalho’s jacobs. A galvanised ten-man England produce their best performance of the competition to get to penalties but then miss 3 out of 4 spot kicks.
Useful links
Sven's best moments as England boss
Your opinions - what do you think about Sven?
