• International football

Wenger would be right for England job - Eriksson

ESPN staff
October 5, 2011
Could Arsene Wenger follow Sven Goran Eriksson and Steve McClaren and become England manager? © Getty Images
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Former England boss Sven Goran Eriksson believes Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger should be the next head coach of the Three Lions.

The Football Association will need to appoint a new coach at the conclusion of next summer's European Championships in Poland & Ukraine, when current incumbent Fabio Capello steps down from the role. And Eriksson, who currently manages Championship side Leicester City, believes Wenger should be a top candidate to succeed the Italian when the time finally comes.

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp is considered one of the top candidates for the role, however, with the general consensus being that the FA will look to make an English appointment.

"People talk about Harry Redknapp as the people's choice. But I'm quite sure if the FA could get Wenger, they would take him," Eriksson said. "If you consider him foreign after all his years in England, I don't know.

"Arsene Wenger can adapt to everything. I mean, he lives for football and his family.

"You see how much it matters to him every game. But you also see when it's a Euro or a World Cup, he is working on it for French television. So he doesn't miss anything. That's his holiday!"

Eriksson led England to the quarter-finals of all three of the major tournaments he presided over - in 2002, 2004 and 2006 - but believes whoever gets the job after Euro 2012 could find themselves inheriting a trophy-winning squad.

"They will qualify, I have no doubt," he said. "If Capello has everyone fit, not too exhausted, then England always have a chance."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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