Eriksson Sacked As Mexico Coach

anportmorforjfc · April 03, 2009, 01:01:06 PM

Sven-Goran Eriksson has been sacked as Mexico boss following Wednesday's World Cup qualifying defeat against Honduras.

Mexico's 3-1 defeat to Honduras was their second in three qualifying matches and left them fourth in their six-team group.

If they stay fourth they will face the fifth-placed team from South America for a place in next year's World Cup.

The former England manager was hired in June following his sacking as Manchester City manager last season.

"We could not take risks with qualification for the World Cup, and we could not rely solely on results at the Estadio Azteca," Mexican Football Federation president Justino Compean said.

"We had a meeting with Mr Eriksson and - although it is a shame for me and a lot of people - we told Mr Eriksson that his spell with the national team was over.

"Personally, I want to thank Mr Eriksson."

Pressure on 61-year-old Eriksson had been lifted temporarily with a convincing 2-0 win over Costa Rica on Saturday but Wednesday's defeat resulted in his eight month reign being terminated.

Eriksson was linked with a move back to English football in February following Tony Adams' sacking as Portsmouth coach.

"I would think there will be plenty of offers for him," Eriksson's personal manager Athole Still told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"He would love to work in England again, I know that for a fact. I would say yes, his first choice would be a good Premier League club in England where he has a challenge."

Mexico's poor form in their latest World Cup qualifying group came off the back of some bad results in the first phase of qualifying.

Mexico had won just once in seven matches following Wednesday's defeat to Honduras.

In 2001 Eriksson became the first foreign manager to take charge of the England national team having previously coached club football in Italy and Portugal.

He spent five years at the helm as England manager leading them to three quarter-finals at major competitions before leaving his post after the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

After spending a year out of football he joined Manchester City in 2007 but spent just one season at the Premier League club.

In June 2008 Eriksson replaced Hugo Sanchez in the Mexico job, the legendary striker having been sacked three months earlier.

cornerback · April 03, 2009, 01:05:42 PM

Future newcastle manager if Shearer keeps newcastle up & steps aside...

Galwaybhoy · April 03, 2009, 01:41:05 PM

Mexico will will still walk qualification in what is probably the easiest qualifying zone for the World Cup.

Orior · April 03, 2009, 01:49:21 PM

Q. What do Mexicans put underneath their carpets?

A. Underlay! Underlay!

carribbear · April 03, 2009, 03:26:41 PM

Is anyone actually surprised that Sven got the chop?
During his England reign the guy was a joke, he got lucky a few times but was also found lacking when up against it, yet that fecker got paid a pile, got to hob-nob with some nice ladies and had a right litte pay-off in the end with his managerial reputation intact.
He'll probably go for the Chelsea gig if Hiddink doesnt stay. Incompetence does pay seemingly.

Gabriel_Hurl · April 03, 2009, 03:42:34 PM

Quote from: Galwaybhoy on April 03, 2009, 01:41:05 PM
Mexico will will still walk qualification in what is probably the easiest qualifying zone for the World Cup.

Not necessarily true - I've been watching a lot of the CONCACAF qualifiers - and they are no great shakes. They'd struggled to beat an admittedly shite Canadian team in the first stage of qualifying

Shamrock Shore · April 03, 2009, 06:20:46 PM

Do ye reckon Stan is brushing up on his Spanish?

muppet · April 03, 2009, 07:33:27 PM

Quote from: Shamrock Shore on April 03, 2009, 06:20:46 PM
Do ye reckon Stan is brushing up on his Spanish?

His Spanish is fine, it's his English that needs work.