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Thursday October 15, 2009

Report: Eriksson rejects North Korea’s offer

LONDON: Former England manager Sven Goran Eriksson has turned down an offer to become the technical adviser of North Korea for the 2010 World Cup, the Press Association reported yesterday.

Eriksson, Notts County’s director of football, “was approached by the North Korean FA but Press Association Sport understands he has decided against taking up the offer,” the British news agency said.

Eriksson: Turned down an offer to be technical director of North Korea for the 2010 World Cup.

The report came after The Guardian and other leading dailies said the 61-year-old Swede, who twice led England in the tournament during his five years as national manager, was to meet North Korean soccer chiefs in Beijing later this week.

Eriksson was to travel with the club’s executive chairman Peter Trembling. However, Notts County chairman Peter Trembling denied the club had been approached.

“We wish to make it clear that Notts County have not received any approach nor had any discussions whatsoever with the North Korean FA in relation to Sven-Goran Eriksson becoming an interim manager of their national team,” Trembling said in a statement. “It is correct that I am making a business trip to Asia but this is solely and exclusively on official Notts County business.”

The Guardian said Trembling had already been involved in talks with intermediaries representing the North’s football association about loaning Eriksson.

North Korea have qualified for the Finals for the first time since 1966, but have struggled to score goals.

Eriksson was seen as a candidate to take over Sweden, who are unlikely to qualify for South Africa, but his home federation were reportedly not interested.

Having endured 10 turbulent months as Mexico’s coach until April this year, he stunned the football world by joining lowly Notts County in the close season.

North Korea’s players are in France preparing for next year’s World Cup but could only manage a drab 0-0 with Second Division Nantes last week followed by another goalless draw on Tuesday night against a Congo side.

A total of just seven goals in eight qualifiers has earnt criticism for coach Kim Jung-hun and his team despite finishing second behind neighbours South Korea in Asian qualifying group two to secure a World Cup place for the first time since 1966.

A shock 1-0 win over Italy at the 1966 tournament in England secured their place in World Cup folklore before they were eliminated 5-3 by Portugal in the quarter-finals, in what was the team’s last trip to Europe. — AFP

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