Sven Goran Eriksson To Leave England Job After World Cup

So Sven has been persuaded by the suits the Football Association to throw in the towel after the 2006 World Cup in Germany, a full two years before the end of his contract. Following the News of the World’s recent sting operation on him and the fallout from his comments about certain senior England players, amongst other things, it was the inevitable conclusion although the timing will surely only further destabilise England’s preparations for the summer showpiece.

With the bookies making English managers such as Sam Allardyce, Alan Curbishley and Steve McLaren favourites to replace the Swede it is hardly a mouth watering prospect for fans as they have to see a successor chosen from the only available Englishmen occupying mid-to-lower Premiership sides.

It’s easy to speculate about the possible effect on the desire of the players to find that extra gear they will need to make serious progress in the World Cup with a departing Eriksson as manager but even on a short term contract there are a shortage of viable options if Sven was to find his position completely untenable and leave the job right away. Jose Mourinho is football’s hottest managerial prospect but he could hardly be looking at the England job as a step up (even part time) from his Fantasy Football manager’s job at Chelsea. Likewise Arsene Wenger or Sir Alex Ferguson at Arsenal or Manchester United who have more than enough to concern them at their clubs without thinking about steering their adopted countries World Cup hopes as well.

From abroad the famous names of “Big Phil” Scolari and Guus Hiddink would be the main contenders while former England U21 boss Peter Taylor, now manager at Championship side Hull City, could also come into the frame alongside a more experienced number two such as Terry Venables.

Chances are that Sven will stick it out (so to speak) until the World Cup is over and England’s dreams lie in tatters around him as he picks up a golden handshake and packs his overloaded bags with riches before travelling onto his next destination with assistant Steve McLaren stepping into his shoes. Clean cut, English, cheaper wages and the possibility that Middlesbrough won’t be too sad to see him go if they continue their recent form and fall through the Premiership trapdoor this season.

Don’t say I didn’t warn you.