The Hindu : Sport / Football : Eriksson takes charge at Man City

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Jul 07, 2007
ePaper

Sport

Sport - Football

Eriksson takes charge at Man City

LONDON: Sven-Goran Eriksson’s appointment as the new manager of Manchester City was confirmed on Friday when the former England boss signed a three-year contract with the Premiership club.

Eriksson immediately pledged to build a squad capable of delivering results in line with City’s status as one of the best-supported clubs in England. “This is an exciting challenge and I have already started making preparations for the new season,” Eriksson said. “I want to deliver a team that our fantastic fans can be proud of.”

Eriksson, 59, has been out of work since stepping down as the national team manager following England’s quarterfinal exit from the 2006 World Cup.

Although he was regarded by some as having failed to get the best out of a talented generation of England players, Eriksson has an impeccable record in club football, having won titles in his native Sweden, Portugal and Italy.

“Sven’s vast experience of managing top clubs to success around Europe is one of the qualities that attracted us to him,” City’s chief executive, Alistair Mackintosh said. “He also knows the English Premier League inside out during his time as national team manager.”

Eriksson was catapulted into pole position to succeed Stuart Pearce at the City of Manchester stadium after Claudio Ranieri opted to join Juventus.

Eriksson has reportedly told former Prime Minister of Thailand, Thaksin Shinawatra, who announced on Friday that he had gained effective control of City, that he needs at least ten new players to make City competitive and a transfer fund in the region of £50 million — Agencies

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail