Sven-Goran Eriksson virtually took Man Utd job and even ‘shook fingers’ on deal

On Jan 11, 2024

Manchester United legend Sir Alex Ferguson as soon as revealed Sven-Goran Eriksson was the favorite to exchange him as supervisor.

At the time, Eriksson was making an attempt to information the Three Lions to World Cup glory in the course of the 2002 competitors throughout South Korea and Japan. While he was trying to finish what was then 36 years of damage, Ferguson was considering retirement a lot, the Red Devils had been sounding out replacements for him.

The legendary Scot even stated Eriksson had “shaken hands” on taking on the reins at Old Trafford. However, Ferguson, 82, did an almighty U-turn and determined to proceed successful issues on the Red Devils.

In an interview with The Times in 2003, Ferguson stated the Swede was successfully determined as the brand new supervisor one 12 months earlier than he modified his thoughts. He stated: “I think they’d done the deal all right. I don’t know for certain, but I’m sure it was Eriksson. I think they had shaken hands. They couldn’t put anything on paper because he was still England manager.”

When requested to substantiate if Eriksson actually was the individual they sounded out for the United sizzling seat, Ferguson stated: “I’ve not read them all but from what I’ve gathered most of it is quite accurate.

Do you think Sven-Goran Eriksson would have been a success at Manchester United? Let us know in the remark part under

Sven Goran Eriksson manager of England applauds the fans following defeat in the FIFA World Cup Germany 2006 Quarter-final match between England and Portugal played at the Stadium Gelsenkirchen on July 1, 2006 in Gelsenkirchen, Germany — Eriksson was answerable for England on the time
(Image: Getty Images)

Manchester United v Juventus February 2003 UEFA Champions League 2002/3 group D
Manchester United beat Juventus in the Champions League 2-1 Sir Alex Ferguson — Ferguson practically retired ten years earlier than he truly did
(Image: Daily Mirror)

“It was my opinion – I have no idea who they approached for the job. But personally I thought he was the best man for it. That is what I said – there is nothing wrong with that.

“I mentioned the 2 administration types as a result of, after having 15 years of Alex Ferguson, I feel Manchester United fairly rightly possibly had been on the lookout for somebody fully completely different with a special strategy. That is pure as a result of 15 years of me is tough work.”

Eriksson went on to manage England at Euro 2004 and the 2006 World Cup, where they were knocked out on penalties by Portugal in quarter-finals on both occasions. After Eriksson resigned, he went on to manage Manchester City and Mexico over the next two seasons.

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson with Manchester City manager Sven Goran Eriksson head of the Barclays Premier League match at Old Trafford, Manchester — Ferguson and Eriksson had been in reverse dugouts inside 5 years
(Image: PA)

The Swede has stepped away from soccer in current occasions, and revealed on Thursday morning (January 11) he has terminal most cancers and solely has one 12 months to stay. “I have to fight as long as possible,” he instructed Sweden’s P1 radio station. “Everyone understands that I have an illness that is not good. Everyone guesses it’s cancer and it is. But I have to fight as long as I can.”

Having been requested what the prognosis is, Eriksson gut-wrenchingly stated he has “maybe at best a year, at worst a little less, or at best maybe even longer. You can’t be absolutely sure. It is better not to think about it.”

Meanwhile, Ferguson stayed at Old Trafford and went on to retire in 2013 with 13 Premier League titles, two Champions Leagues, 5 FA Cups, 4 League Cups and the Club World Cup.