Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
SWEDE AND SOUR IN SVEN’S ENGLAND
FEW modern managers divide opinion as much as SvenGoran Eriksson.
The facts are that he has won a few trophies along the way, endured more than his share of controversy and attracted some of the biggest pay days in world football.
Sven (right) arrived on our shores in 2001 as the England head coach. He had earned this appointment after guiding Lazio to the Serie A title in Italy.
Within a year, he was on Manchester United’s wanted list after Sir Alex Ferguson announced his intention to retire. The belief grew that Sven could not say “no” to United.
But that opportunity evaporated when Fergie staged his U-turn and decided to stay.
So moments of promise with England – inevitably ending in disappointments – carried on until Sven announced on January 24,
Shayne Ward, winner of the second series of The X Factor, had the Christmas No.1 with That’s My Goal 2006 that he would be quitting England after that summer’s World Cup finals in Germany.
He had been the victim of a newspaper sting in which he gave a detailed outline of his interest to become the next Aston Villa manager, linked to a takeover at the club.
He had also claimed he would persuade England skipper David Beckham to join him at Villa Park. CHELSEA made it back-to-back titles. Jose Mourinho’s men got off to a flying start with 15 wins from their first 16 games. They clinched the Premier League crown with a win at home against closest rivals Manchester United. ON November 25, 2005, George Best died. He was 59.
The Belfast-born player (right) was widely accclaimed as one of Britain’s greatest players during his pomp with the brilliant Manchester United team of the Sixties.
He was voted European Footballer of the Year in 1968.
Brazil superstar Pele paid tribute, saying: “George Best was the greatest player in the world.”
THIS was Arsenal’s final season at their Highbury home. Their closing match ended in a 4–2 victory over Wigan. Thierry Henry (left) scored a hat-trick – the last in the Premier League this season.