Don’t feel sorry for Eriksson

May 1 2008 by Alex Turner, Liverpool Daily Post

PRESIDENT Kennedy warned that those who foolishly sought power by riding on the back of the tiger ended up inside.

From one man that divided opinion to another, Sven-Goran Eriksson, who appears to have been consumed by Thaksin the Tiger.

The general outpouring of shock, even grief, from the footballing fraternity (and Noel Gallagher) shows what very short memories the sport has.

Eriksson has proven himself to be as self-serving as any club chairman in his dealings with England, sheikhs and Peter Kenyon.

He will, once again, receive a very handsome settlement making him the mustard of football managers – his wealth comes from something never used.

Any sympathy for Eriksson, who knew exactly what he was signing up for when he became manager last summer, should last about as long as it took Fulham to score three times in their unlikely win at the City of Manchester at the weekend. His team’s post-Christmas performance has resulted in an FA Cup exit at Sheffield United and just five Premier League wins from 16 games in 2008, even if the Old Trafford triumph in February saw him sainted in Eastlands.

A more accurate appraisal of Manchester City’s performance comes not from their strong start to the season, or their current ninth place, but their goal difference of zero. Neither good nor bad, they definitely could do better.