Sick Eriksson appeals to England trainer before final
2001, Sven-Göran Eriksson becomes coach of the English National Team. Southgate ends his career with the Three Lions under him. A few years later, he becomes one of Eriksson's successors. Before the EM Final, the dying soccer coach Sven-Göran Eriksson makes an emotional appeal to his ex-player Gareth Southgate.
The ailing football coach Sven-Göran Eriksson made an emotional plea to England's Chief Coach Gareth Southgate before the EM Final. A letter published in "Telegraph" with the title "Dear Gareth, do it for me, Bobby Robson and England" is intended to inspire the Three Lions in the match against Spain in Berlin on Sunday (21:00/ARD and MagentaTV and live on ntv.de).
"The job as English trainer brings immense pressure. They know so much about 1966 and Sir Alf Ramsey's team. They know how big the expectations are, to end years of pain. I have felt it. Sir Bobby Robson sensed it. Every one of the 13 managers since Sir Alf have felt it", wrote Eriksson, who is suffering from incurable pancreatic cancer and made his diagnosis public at the beginning of this year. "None of us have managed it, but no one was closer than Gareth Southgate."
Eriksson enthusiastically praises Southgate
England is in the EM Final for the second time in a row and hopes to end the 58-year title drought. "One cannot praise highly enough how important the Sunday could be for the future of English football. For future generations, little boys and girls will be inspired. This team has the chance to show the whole country that we are here", wrote the 76-year-old Swede, who coached England's National Team from 2001 to 2006.
Eriksson praised Southgate for his achievements in the past months and years, heavily criticized by many. "Gareth has learned from our mistakes in the past. Above all, the mental blockade at the penalty shootouts - he has achieved more than any of us", said Eriksson. Southgate has been in office since summer 2016. His contract expires this year. "Do it, Gareth. Do what we all couldn't", wrote the former coach of the Three Lions.
Despite his battle with pancreatic cancer, the retired England coach Sven-Göran Eriksson expressed his support for the current football EURO 2024 team, urging Gareth Southgate to lead England to glory, replicating the success England achieved in 1966. In a heartfelt letter published in 'Telegraph', Eriksson highlighted Southgate's crucial role in lifting the weight of decades-long expectations and overcoming the infamous mental blockades prevalent in English football, particularly at penalty shootouts.
