World Cup qual - Eriksson sacked by Mexico

Eurosport - Fri, 03 Apr 22:48:00 2009

Mexico have sacked coach Sven-Goran Eriksson, less than 24 hours after his team lost 3-1 to Honduras in a World Cup qualifier.

2009 Mexico Sven-Goran Eriksson - 0

"This morning we talked to Mr Eriksson and announced his departure," Mexican Football Federation president Justino Compean said.

"It's a fact results have not been what we expected."

Eriksson took over in June from Hugo Sanchez, who was sacked after 16 months in the job.

Wednesday's defeat in San Pedro Sula left Mexico fourth in the final stage of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying with three points from three games, below leaders United States (seven points), Costa Rica (six) and Honduras (four).

The Swede's position has been the subject of frequent speculation after several away defeats including two World Cup reverses in Honduras and one in Jamaica.

Under his leadership Mexico played five competitive away games, losing four and drawing one in Canada.

"Results away from home have to be better, I'm responsible," Eriksson said. "I have to accept this without making a drama out of it."

The former England coach's overall record with Mexico, including friendlies, was six wins, one draw and six defeats.

Eriksson took charge with the team already involved in World Cup qualifying.

Critics warned he would have little time to learn about the idiosyncracies of Mexican football and the difficult playing conditions in Central America and the Caribbean.

The team won their first three qualifiers, all at home, but were nearly eliminated after losing in Jamaica and Honduras and drawing in Canada.

Mexico squeezed into the final stage on goal difference and then lost 2-0 to United States in February.

Saturday's 2-0 win over Costa Rica gave Eriksson respite but defeat on Wednesday was the final straw.

He had also been underfire for the number of naturalised players he picked, including Argentine-born Matias Vuoso, Lucas Ayala and Guillermo Franco and Brazilian-born Antonio Naelson and Leandro Augusto.

The former Lazio, Roma, Sampdoria, Benfica and Manchester City coach replied he was merely following the rules.

Eriksson also found that many of Mexico's European-based professionals were short of match practice with their clubs because of loss of form or injuries.

Former Atletico Madrid coach Javier Aguirre has been tipped by Mexican media as the favourite to take over.

The team's next World Cup qualifier is in El Salvador on June 6.

Reuters

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  1. SPAM-along with Rafa Benitez. But there can be no­ bigger SPAM than Mr. Sven Eriksson himself - the sooner­ you are rid of him, the better! It's a pity Mexico­ took so long to act.

    From Rafa, on Fri 3 Apr 10:12AM
  2. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Eriksson is a great coach and he deserves a great team­ like Manchester City. ha ha ha ha

    From Half A Brain, on Fri 3 Apr 4:23AM
  3. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Sven for Man Utd !!

    From Rafa, on Fri 3 Apr 4:12AM

  4. selma hayek for new manager

    From fast_fredi, on Fri 3 Apr 4:09AM

  5. I'm pretty sure that Sven must have got himself a­ mexican @#$% heavily spiced with paprika that got him­ into a hole with the losses in qualifiers. His lips­ have been dribbling from the moment he got there.

    From al.barney, on Fri 3 Apr 12:28AM

  6. Sven always was a useless manager.He should have been­ sacked when the team lost to jamaica.

    From saeed, on Thu 2 Apr 11:53PM
  7. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    DONNYSBECK YOU ARE A P.R.I.C.K!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    From paul, on Thu 2 Apr 11:51PM

  8. DONNYSBECK YOU ARE A P.R.I.C.K!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    From paul, on Thu 2 Apr 11:51PM
  9. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    DONNYSBECK YOU ARE A P.R.I.C.K!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    From paul, on Thu 2 Apr 11:51PM

  10. Oy donny BYE how you been mate

    From saeed, on Thu 2 Apr 11:51PM
  11. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    DONNYSBECK YOU ARE A P.R.I.C.K!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    From paul, on Thu 2 Apr 11:51PM
  12. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    DONNYSBECK YOU ARE A P.R.I.C.K!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    From paul, on Thu 2 Apr 11:51PM
  13. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    DONNYSBECK YOU ARE A P.R.I.C.K!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    From paul, on Thu 2 Apr 11:51PM

  14. donneysbeck, pls give Sven the sheep's cry!

    From al.barney, on Thu 2 Apr 11:36PM

  15. Totally agreed Shottaway that the Mexicans saw in him­ faster than the England did and the then FA crew should­ be accountable for this poor vision. That bungling Adam­ should hold his hands up and should be checked before­ he ruins the Post Office.

    From al.barney, on Thu 2 Apr 11:34PM

  16. I'm pretty sure he goes to Chelsea next and that­ would force the Roman out of football business like the­ way he forced Cragnotti out of Lazio and milk sales.­ Super agent Pini Zavi will use his Jewish link to get­ him there and that would give them the blues worse than­ Scolari.

    From al.barney, on Thu 2 Apr 11:24PM

  17. He would be sacked within a year if he lands a­ Premiership club again. Managers like him are dragging­ the hands of football clock backwards. Thank God Don­ Capello took over the England job and he would deliver­ some trophy soon having been following him from the­ very first time he took over from Arrigo Sacchi at­ Milanello.

    From al.barney, on Thu 2 Apr 11:15PM

  18. I wonder when he would be investigated for some of his­ ludricrous buy in the transfer market while at Man­ City. He got away twice with the transfer of Veron­ while in Italy.

    From al.barney, on Thu 2 Apr 11:08PM

  19. I wasn't surprised at all that Sven was sacked. I­ once told a friend before he became England Manager­ that Sven is one lucky manager with over inflated­ paycheque, buys players overpriced and delivers no­ outcome. The title he won with Lazio was orchestrated­ after a fight in the Italian Parliament in Rome. His­ next destination is England because of the­ glamour..Nancy and Ulrika are still here!

    From al.barney, on Thu 2 Apr 11:05PM

  20. SVEN S U C K S!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    From , on Thu 2 Apr 10:49PM
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