SVEN - Softcover

Lovejoy

Softcover

ISBN 10: 000714069X ISBN 13: 9780007140695

Publisher: HarperNonfiction, 2004

Synopsis

A major in-depth biography of Sven-Goran Eriksson - the first foreign manager of the England football team - which chronicles his time in the hot seat, from taking over from Kevin Keegan, the story of the 2002 World Cup Finals in Japan and South Korea, through to the 2004 European Championships. Reserved - some would say introvert - by nature, he has so far dismissed as intrusive almost all questions about anything other than the England team. There is a fascinating story to be told about the moderate full-back who failed in his own country, retired from playing at 27, then went on to become one of the best coaches in the world. The son of a truck driver from a small provincial town in Sweden, Eriksson left school early and worked in a social security office. He went to college to study PE and played football as an amateur before being persuaded by an older teammate Tord Grip (now his assistant with England) that his career lay elsewhere in management. Modest success at Roma and Fiorentina was followed by a renewal of Sampdoria's fortunes. It wasn't long before Lazio came knocking - but not before an acrimonious fallout with Blackburn when his surprise about-turn left the Lancashire club without a new manager. He enjoyed phenomenal success in Rome, however, where he led Lazio to the scudetto, and this eventually paved the way to the England manager's job. Since then Eriksson has come under the microscope from the English press, as much for his private affairs as for his team's stuttering performances. Despite his achievements in leading England to the quarter-finals of the World Cup in 2002, his methods, formations and team selections are the subject of fierce debate up and down the country. Joe Lovejoy's book captures the essence of the man and goes some way to explaining his influence behind England. This paperback edition explores his thoughts about his captain playing his football in Spain and documents England's rocky road to the 2004 European Championship finals.

About this title

Review:

‘A thorough and methodical biography ... ’ FourFourTwo

‘A perceptive and thorough analysis of the man and his style’ The Observer

From the Back Cover:

Thrown into the lion's den as England's first foreign manager, a sceptical public have more than warmed to Sven-Goran Eriksson. Following a series of miraculous results the 54-year-old Swede now receives rounds of applause wherever he goes.

The first in-depth biography of the England manager opens up the complex world of football's quiet man of vision. Every aspect of his story is covered, from his early days in Sweden to his flourishing management career with the likes of Benfica, Roma and Lazio, climaxing with leading England to the World Cup Finals.

Yet what makes Eriksson tick? Why does he command the respect of players and the press alike? What makes his coaching and man-management methods so unique? Exclusive interviews with key personalities – the FA's Adam Crozier on his appointment; managers Arsene Wenger, Glenn Hoddle and Roy Hodgson; players like Juan-Sebastian Veron, Rio Ferdinand and David Beckham; family and friends – help to reveal the real Eriksson behind the cool façade.

Author Joe Lovejoy has enjoyed unrivalled access to Eriksson in his position as football correspondent of 'The Sunday Times'. With the cooperation of the man himself and his assistant Tord Grip, he has managed to penetrate the hitherto private world of the England boss, resulting in a fascinating tale of the full-back who failed in his own country, retired at 27, then went on to become one of the best football coaches in the world.

"Eriksson's calm and intelligent approach has enabled him to deal imaginatively with the nation as well as it's football team"
'Independent'

About this edition

• Publisher: HarperNonfiction
• Publication date: 2004
• ISBN 10: 000714069X
• ISBN 13: 9780007140695
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 608