SVEN-GÖRAN ERIKSSON FACED NEW calls for his resignation last night after the publication of another series of damaging allegations. Support for the England head coach reached a new low after it was revealed that he sometimes watches the weather forecast on television, even in World Cup year.
An FA source blasted the Swede. “It’s just five months away from the World Cup finals and Eriksson thinks it’s fine to spend his time finding out what temperature it will be in London over the next few days,” he said. “In what way can that possibly help our World Cup chances? He needs to be concentrating on England’s campaign, not swanning about in his living-room with a remote control.
“Admittedly, Eriksson has already arranged England’s next friendly matches, booked their World Cup base and chosen 20 of their 23-man squad in fulfilling what is basically a part-time job, but I’m sure there is something timeconsuming and important he should be doing.”
Eriksson was also condemned for traumatising an undercover reporter by talking about some of his England players. “I can’t believe Sven was so insensitive,” the reporter, who was mortified that he had no alternative but to increase the number of British people aware of the Swede’s private remarks about his players from one (the reporter) to 60 million, said. “I realise that there are people in Britain who are not hampered by an instinctive urge to note private comments and pass them on to the very people who are being criticised and who may therefore be offended, but I am not so blessed.”
Eriksson’s roll of shame includes becoming friendly with a woman, thinking about his next job and even discussing a possible salary. “Sven’s caused great embarrassment,” a media spokesman said. “Doesn’t he realise we are obliged to slaughter England managers, so he needs to help us by doing something really bad? All he does is commit very mild misdemeanours at worst, yet we have to pretend they are serious and criticise him anyway.”