• World Cup

England 'suffering' without winter break - Eriksson

ESPN staff
July 1, 2010
Sven-Goran Eriksson has been linked with a return to the Premier League with Fulham © Getty Images
Enlarge

Former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson has backed current incumbent Fabio Capello's call for a winter break in English football.

The Italian spoke of the need for a break shortly before he and his team left South Africa following their disastrous World Cup campaign and warned that without one England could struggle to challenge for major international honours.

England had been tipped as one of the pre-tournament favourites for World Cup glory this summer but bowed out in abject style as they lost 4-1 to old foes Germany. Eriksson, who guided England to two World Cup quarter-finals during his five-year reign in charge, says his former players are "suffering" without a winter break and revealed that he too had pushed for the same resolution during his tenure.

"I don't think there is anything wrong with English football, Eriksson told Radio 5 Live. "The only thing I was fighting for (when I was in charge) was a winter break, but because of money the Premier League never accepted that.

"England is the only country in Europe without a break and when it comes to these big tournaments they are suffering for it."

Eriksson has been linked with a return to the Premier League with Fulham after Roy Hodgson completed his long anticipated move to Liverpool.

"I have heard some rumours but there are absolutely no facts behind it," he said. "I think they have a brilliant manager and I do not know if he is staying or, as rumoured, going to Liverpool, but so far I have heard nothing."

Speculation has also suggested that Eriksson could follow up his short stint with Ivory Coast by replacing Algeria boss Rabah Saadane on a two-year deal in time to take charge for their August friendly with Gabon.

"I have met with the president of the Algerian Football Federation, but I can't say anything about what was discussed as that remains strictly confidential," Eriksson revealed. "We simply spoke about football and the World Cup.

"All I can say is perhaps in the coming days you will know what my future is."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
Close

ABOUT COOKIES

To help make this website better, to improve and personalize your experience and for advertising purposes, are you happy to accept cookies and other technologies.

More Info Here Cookie Choices