Sven Back Doing What He Does Best

Go on, admit it – you were just waiting for Sven and his legion of mysterious signings to fall flat on their face a few weeks into the season. Just what were Manchester City doing taking him on? But as we move into October, Sven’s City find themselves above Chelsea and Tottenham in the league, and breathing down the necks of leaders Arsenal. Add to that the single goal victory over neighbours United, and the blue half of Manchester is celebrating their best start to a season in a long time.

But should we be so surprised? Granted, Sven’s last few months as England manager were not covered in glory, and their performance at last year’s world cup was a huge let down. It is possible that Eriksson stayed on for one tournament too many, but this should not detract from the job that he did as national coach, nor his numerous achievements at club level.

England fans are fickle at the best of times, and it’s easy to forget just what a state the national team was in when Sven took charge back in 2001. Lying bottom of their qualifying group, Sven galvanised the squad and eventually lead them to first place in the group, qualification cemented by a stunning 5-1 win in Germany. At this point ‘Sir Sven’ could do no wrong, and was so popular that he even inspired a top ten hit. He had also been lined up to replace the soon to be departing Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson, such was the impact he had made.

The three lions put in a credible performance at the 2002 world cup, qualifying from the ‘group of death’ with an inspiring 1-0 win over Argentina. Despite leading against 10-man Brazil, England eventually lost out to the South Americans with a wonder/fluke goal (depending on who you believe) by Ronaldinho, although many wondered why the team hadn’t pressed harder for a second goal when they had been on top.

England then cruised through qualifying for Euro 2004 and headed to the championships in confident mood. The team played some good football and averaged well over two goals a game. Only a controversial disallowed goal in extra time prevented England from going through against hosts Portugal in the quarter finals, and they eventually lost out on penalties. Despite some criticism from the press and lurid details about his private life surfacing on the front pages of the tabloids, Sven was still popular amongst players and fans alike.

The Swede then entered his most difficult period as England manager as the team started their qualifying campaign for Germany 2006. The team never really hit the heights despite qualifying, and were lampooned after their humiliating 1-0 defeat against Northern Ireland in Belfast. Things picked up slightly as Sven masterminded another victory over Argentina in a high profile friendly, a team many considered as favourites for the World Cup.

The World Cup in Germany was a disappointment for England and they underachieved massively. They were knocked out for the third tournament in a row at the quarter final stage by a Felipe Scolari team, and by Portugal for the second tournament in a row. Sven was severely criticised this time, with accusations ranging from a lack of passion on the touchline to tactically inept. It was unfair, however, to single out Eriksson as the sole reason behind England’s poor displays. Very few players played anywhere near to their potential, Rooney’s sending off was reckless, losing a world class striker in Owen was devastating (despite not being match fit), and England’s players once again arrived at a tournament looking physically and mentally drained after having played more football over the season than their rivals. Ultimately, the so called ‘golden generation’ just didn’t live up to the hype.

Sven is now back in club football, and looking to add to an already impressive list of honours to this name. He has won the league and cup double in every country he has managed, and amassed three European trophies to his name, including an unlikely UEFA Cup success with IFK Göteborg in 1982. He almost added the European Cup to that list in 1989 with Benfica, but the brilliant Milan side of the late 1980s and early 1990s overcame Sven’s team 1-0. With this kind of record in club football, it’s easy to see why England came calling back in 2000.

Statistically, Sven is rated as England’s second most successful manager after Sir Alf Ramsey, having suffered only five competitive defeats and reaching the last eight in three successive tournaments. It's probably safe to say he won’t be remembered as affectionately as other former managers, say Bobby Robson, but it's disappointing that there hasn’t been true recognition of the job he did as national manager. With every City victory, however, maybe fans will finally realise the debt of gratitude they owe the man from Sweden and recognise his long list of achievements.