Sven-Goran Eriksson backed for Roos gig

[Googes]

Sven-Goran Eriksson backed for Roos gig
Ray Gatt From: The Australian June 25, 2010 11:30PM

SVEN-GORAN Eriksson has firmed as favourite to become the new Socceroos' coach after British bookmaker William Hill reported heavy support.

Eriksson has come in from 5-1 to 3-1 favourite for the job amid suggestions leading candidate Paul Le Guen may have harmed his prospects following Cameroon's inglorious exit from the World Cup after losing all three of its group matches.

There were media reports earlier this week that 46-year-old Le Guen, who has coached French clubs Lyon and PSG and Scottish giant Rangers, was on the radar of Football Federation Australia chairman Frank Lowy as a likely replacement for Pim Verbeek.

But Le Guen's odds have lengthened, with the Frenchman easing from 5-2 to 9-2.

Others mentioned as possibilities include Dutchmen Leo Beenhakker, Frank Rijkaard, Johan Neeskens and Ruud Gullit, Frenchman Gerard Houllier and former Argentine international Osvaldo Ardiles.

However, this is the first time Eriksson has been linked to the Socceroos job.

The 67-year-old Eriksson, who is in charge of Ivory Coast, is unlikely to lead the African team to the second round. His side had to defeat Group G easybeat North Korea by a huge margin overnight and was hoping Brazil could do the same to Portugal.

A spokesman for William Hill said punters only wanted to back Eriksson, who coached England between 2001 and 2006.

"Sven Goran Eriksson is the candidate punters want to be on at the moment. However, we are expecting to see a lot more twists and turns in the market before Ben Buckley and Frank Lowy rubber stamp any appointment," William Hill's Tony Kenny said.

"Le Guen has been heavily linked with the Socceroos post, but Cameroon's three consecutive defeats in the World Cup have hardly enhanced his CV."

One name not on the list is Brazilian Carlos Alberto Parreira, who coached host South Africa, a team unlucky to be eliminated in the first round.

Parreira has coached Brazil three times (1983-84, 1991-94 and 2003-06) and won the World Cup with his country in 1994.

The market: 3-1 Sven Goran Eriksson, 9-2 Paul Le Guen, 8-1 Gerard Houllier, 9-1 Ricki Herbert, Johan Neeskens, Ottmar Hitzfeld, 13-1 Leo Beenhakker, Lars Lagerback, Ossie Ardiles, Marco Van Basten, 21-1 Philippe Troussier, 26-1 Pierre Littbarski, Winfried Schafer, Fabio Capello.

[Tony Adams]

lets hope not, would be a step back from pim not forward imo

[the_gun]

please no sven!

[Con]

Lock up your wives n daughters. And the FFA female office staff...

[swannsong]

Please.... No !

[Chade]

Please no to Le Guen as well. He's pissed off every club and player he's worked for/over in the last 5 years.

[Googes]

I think been put in the media next coach is likely to come out of the world cup in south africa

[Con]

remind me again why Sven left as manager of Engerland and Mexico....

[DOC]

he pimps himself around to every nation, no thanks

watch special 1 tv if you don't get it

[Outlaw 2.0]

he pimps himself around to every nation, no thanks

watch special 1 tv if you don't get it

"You are at top of pimping list, just look"

"Well!"

"Shut up Sven"

[DOC]

he pimps himself around to every nation, no thanks

watch special 1 tv if you don't get it

"You are at top of pimping list, just look"

"Well!"

"Shut up Sven"

LOL

[Red-4-Life]

theres better managers out there...

[Outlaw 2.0]

theres better managers out there...

WELL!!

[Blotto]

I was waiting for someone to come up with a 'Well'....

[Peter_Griffin]

It'll a nice change to have a Swede in charge of Australia instead of a Dutchman