Former England manager Sven-Göran Eriksson, in an exclusive interview with Channel 4, has thrown his support behind England’s chances in the upcoming UEFA EURO 2024 tournament. From his home in Sunne, Sweden, Eriksson reflected on his illustrious career, emphasising memorable moments such as the historic 5-1 victory against Germany in a World Cup qualifier and sharing insights into England’s prospects at the EUROs, describing France as the only barrier between England and EURO Championship glory.
The footballing world was shocked earlier this year when the 76-year-old revealed his terminal cancer diagnosis, giving him, at best, a year to live. Despite this sobering news, Eriksson remains optimistic and focused on the sport he loves. During the interview, he received heartwarming video messages of support from players he mentored during his tenure as England’s coach from 2001 to 2006, including Joe Cole, Paul Scholes, and Steven Gerrard.
Reflecting on England’s past performances, Eriksson expressed regret over not guiding the team to the 2002 World Cup Final, particularly recalling their quarter-final defeat against Brazil. Despite the setback, he maintains that England had the potential to triumph but was thwarted by a “mentally very important goal” from Brazil just before halftime. He also debunked the myth surrounding Ronaldinho’s infamous long-range free-kick, insisting it was not intentional.
However, Eriksson fondly reminisced about England’s remarkable 5-1 victory over Germany in a 2001 World Cup qualifier, a triumph that defied expectations and remains etched in footballing history. He described it as a “special night” where everything fell into place, although he noted that the hype surrounding the win bordered on excessive.
As the first non-British England manager, Eriksson led what was often referred to as the “Golden Generation” of players, including Gerrard, Wayne Rooney, Michael Owen, and David Beckham. Despite not surpassing the quarter-final stage in major tournaments, Eriksson exudes confidence in England’s current squad. He believes they have a strong chance at EURO 2024, especially considering the depth of talent and unity within the team.
Eriksson reserved praise for current England manager Gareth Southgate, commending his leadership and predicting success for the team under his guidance. He also shared a personal anecdote about an encounter with the late Queen, who humorously admitted her indifference towards football during a dinner conversation.
In the face of his health challenges, Eriksson maintains a pragmatic outlook, appreciating the simple joys of life and refusing to dwell on self-pity. He acknowledges the uncertainty of his future but embraces each day with gratitude, emphasising that “life is beautiful” despite its challenges.
As England prepares to face formidable opponents in EURO 2024, Eriksson’s words of encouragement and unwavering support serve as a reminder of his enduring legacy.
The full interview will be shown during Channel 4’s live coverage of England’s friendly against Brazil (23.03.24) starting at 6pm.
The England Brazil match will be available to stream live on Channel 4 here.
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