Sven-Goran Eriksson to lead Ivory Coast at this summer's World Cup

Posted Monday, March 29, 2010 by theguardian.com

Sven-Goran Eriksson to lead Ivory Coast at this summer's World Cup
Sven-Goran Eriksson, Ivory Coast's new manager, will be coaching at his third World Cup.

Sven-Goran Eriksson was tonight named Ivory Coast's manager for the World Cup in South Africa. The former England manager's appointment was announced on live television by a member of Ivory Coast's football federation (FIF), Souleymane Alex Bamba.

Eriksson replaces Vahid Halihodzic, who was sacked following Ivory Coast's disappointing quarter-final exit in the Africa Cup of Nations in January. He beat several candidates to the job, including Mark Hughes, and was described by the federation as "an experienced coach who has proved himself".

"Sven-Goran Eriksson is the new coach of Ivory Coast. He will lead the team at the World Cup where his objective is to ensure an honourable participation and it will obviously be difficult. Therefore the executive committee of the FIF appeals to the sacred union between the 'Elephants' and their coach," said a statement.

Eriksson's task this summer is not easy, as the Ivorians have been drawn alongside Brazil, Portugal and North Korea in Group G. They have never progressed beyond the group stages of the World Cup.

However, Eriksson does bring experience of international football, having led England to the quarter-finals of both the 2002 and 2006 World Cups. He can also call upon players such as Chelsea's Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou and Barcelona's Yaya Touré.

After the England job the Swede joined Manchester City in 2007, spending one season there before a short-lived spell in charge of Mexico. Eriksson raised eyebrows with his last job as director of football at the League Two side Notts County last summer. He left the club when its ownership changed hands in January.