SVEN-GÖRAN ERIKSSON will leave his position as England head coach after the World Cup finals with a payoff of around £5 million. While the Swede briefly took refuge from the storm caused by his indiscretions to undercover reporters, his advisers thrashed out the financial settlement last night that will give him a lucrative farewell, even if his team do not come close to lifting the trophy this summer.
Eriksson’s golden goodbye includes a guaranteed £3.5 million after tax, even if he walks directly into a new post after the tournament. The remaining two years on his contract after July were worth £9 million gross, but a bruised Eriksson was willing to accept the compromise deal offered by the Football Association board and Brian Barwick, the chief executive, in the wake of the “ fake sheikh” furore.
Both sides will present their deal as a happy compromise at a press conference, expected this afternoon, although there is bound to be outrage in some quarters that Eriksson is guaranteed such a reward. He will counter by saying that he could have refused to come to an agreement and that his contract until 2008 was approved by several board members.
Barwick described it as “the right outcome”, before thanking Eriksson for his “tremendous co-operation”. He said: “Our main objective is giving Sven and the England team the best chance of achieving success at the World Cup. Sven is definitely the right man to lead us in Germany.” Eriksson reiterated that he “cares passionately about this job and I want everyone to know that”.
While there is a danger that he will be now portrayed as a lame-duck manager, Eriksson’s bond with his team has been noted. Although Eriksson has not covered himself in glory in recent weeks, the relationship with his senior players has not broken down. “I know that I have the full support of the players and the FA,” he said.
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The FA will emphasise that its decision-making has not been influenced by the media, but is the culmination of a long process. “The FA and Sven felt it was important to clarify his future,” Barwick said. “This is for the benefit of everyone connected with English football, especially the fans. With so much speculation surrounding this matter in recent weeks, it was important to resolve it now.”
Eriksson, with Athole Still, his agent, also held discussions with the FA’s compliance unit regarding their allegations of corruption in the Barclays Premiership, but recent newspaper revelations were a side-issue at Soho Square. The substance of the talks concerned a dignified exit strategy that will not disrupt preparations for Germany but leave Eriksson free to pursue other possibilities. In spite of the discomfort caused by his latest indiscretion — it took four police officers and a security guard to bundle him into his car when he left his office yesterday — Eriksson’s determination to bring success to England has not diminished. Last night, typically, he attended the Premiership game between West Ham United and Fulham.
Immediate thought must also be given to the succession. Discreet inquiries will begin — the FA is keen to avoid anything that could overshadow a competition England have a realistic chance of winning — to potential candidates, but solace will be taken from a similar scenario involving Bobby Robson, who led the country to the semi-finals in 1990.
Paul Jewell yesterday followed Stuart Pearce, of Manchester City, in ruling himself out of the running. “It’s not a job that turns me on,” the Wigan Athletic manager said.
For less money, Eriksson’s successor will be expected to be more discreet. However, everyone could agree with the final line of his statement: “Let’s go and win the World Cup.”