by Gankhuu » Tue Jan 17, 2006 10:09 am
ENE eriksson aldag nuhur yum aa. / zalhuurav, medleg dutav /
England coach Sven Goran-Eriksson has admitted he was shocked at being caught out in an embarrassing tabloid sting in which he made indiscreet comments about several senior players, his agent said.
Eriksson told an undercover News of the World reporter - posing as a rich Arab - he would quit as England coach if they won the World Cup, and suggested he would be prepared to become manager of Aston Villa as part of a takeover bid.
In the newspaper's report the Swede referred to Rio Ferdinand as "lazy", described Wayne Rooney as having a "temper" and coming from "a poor family," and suggested David Beckham was "a bit frustrated" at Real Madrid.
He also commented on Michael Owen's position at Newcastle United after the England striker's 17-million-pound transfer from Real Madrid.
Eriksson claims he has "no problem" with his star players and insists he has not embarrassed them but his assistant Tord Grip admitted the expose had come as a shock to his fellow Swede.
Grip told BBC Sport on Monday: "He has been through a lot of things but this was something very special, because it was a real set-up. But I know that Sven is okay and he's fully committed to the job.
"It was a shock for him, this one. It's not nice, because then you can't trust anybody and you don't trust what they are writing either.
"You never know if it is true or not. It's strange that they do things like that. They had planned it for several months.
"He was a little bit shocked when he realized it was a set-up but now it's okay.
"He has spoken to them (the players) and he's rather relaxed about the media. It's no problem at the moment."
Eriksson was also taped talking about lucrative job possibilities even though he is under contract until 2008.
His employers the English Football Association were quick to issue a strong message of support but this latest slip-up has caused disquiet among some of its members.
Two senior sources connected to the FA have confirmed that had the revelations emerged immediately after the World Cup instead of before it, the FA may have reacted differently.
One member of the FA's International Committee told PA Sport: "If you want the fame and fortune that goes with the job you have to accept the responsibility that goes with it. It's not the first time is it?
"The last thing we want though is for there to be any unease within the England squad ahead of the World Cup and let's hope, with the action that has been taken, that proves not to be the case."
The other source said: "It is fair to say that if this had been after the World Cup rather than four months before it, there may have been a rather different reaction.
"We don't want to ruin England's preparations for a tournament we have a good chance of winning."
Eriksson's remarks came in for criticism however from former England captain Terry Butcher.
"It's not so much the money side of things as the revealing of confidences of the senior players. It's a betrayal of trust," Butcher said.
"He's said Beckham's not happy at Real Madrid, and Rio will be disappointed at what he has said about him.
"I'm certain it will have affected the relationship between him and the team.
"When they meet up next in March they will be thinking about the World Cup but perhaps it won't be as harmonious as it might have been."
Where did our baby go?