Ferguson and Wenger should be thanking me, says Eriksson
MANCHESTER: England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson says Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson and Arsenal’s Arsene Wenger should be thanking him instead of criticising his planned US tour in May.
Ferguson and Wenger have expressed concerns over a trip which includes friendlies against the United States and Colombia at the end of a demanding season.
Asked about the flak as he prepared for this weekend’s World Cup qualifier against Northern Ireland, Eriksson told reporters on Tuesday: “I can understand that, we all have our opinions.
“But I think they should say ‘thank you’ to me instead, because before the fixture list was made for the (World Cup) qualification games I said ... I had only one request: no games in June.
“The reason I did that was because I wanted the players to have a long rest before the World Cup year.”
Eriksson was successful with that request but had to start qualifying from Group Six last year with two away games, a 2-2 draw in Austria and a 2-1 victory in Poland.
As a result, however, England players will be free while other countries have two qualifiers in early June.
In a further move to placate the leading Premier League clubs, Eriksson also made it clear he would be willing to talk to them about letting certain players miss the US tour.
“I’m not forced to go there with the 11 best players,” he said.
“I will take the best possible players, but if one player who normally plays from the beginning has problems and needs a rest – he can rest. It’s perfect.”
Eriksson also brushed aside media speculation that he may not get his players a four-week break before the start of the 2006 World Cup, as agreed by the Football Association.
“As recently as last week I had assurances from the FA and the Premier League that I will have the four weeks,” said Eriksson, whose team have not yet qualified for the Finals.
“It may seem stupid but one week is like gold, it’s absolutely vital for the players,” he said. – Reuters
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