End for Eriksson If England Fail to Qualify
Under-fire England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson admits he is likely to lose his job if he does not lead his side to the World Cup in Germany next year...
Eriksson's formation, tactics and inspirational qualities have all come under the spotlight following England's shock 1-0 defeat to Northern in Belfast on Wednesday and an unimpressive 1-0 win over Wales the weekend before.
But the Swede is determined to fight on. "I can motivate my players (as Lawrie Sanchez did for Northern Ireland). I have many times. Just because I am not shouting it has nothing to do with motivation or passion.
"I care. I am desperate when we are losing but I am not shouting. I want England to play in the World Cup and I am putting my reputation on it.
"If I do not go to the World Cup I will not have a job in this country and elsewhere.
"I can understand the criticism. We lost to (Northern) Ireland and I understand the critics.
"If England do not qualify maybe I should not be here. But England will qualify I am sure of it."
But the Swede is determined to fight on. "I can motivate my players (as Lawrie Sanchez did for Northern Ireland). I have many times. Just because I am not shouting it has nothing to do with motivation or passion.
"I care. I am desperate when we are losing but I am not shouting. I want England to play in the World Cup and I am putting my reputation on it.
"If I do not go to the World Cup I will not have a job in this country and elsewhere.
"I can understand the criticism. We lost to (Northern) Ireland and I understand the critics.
"If England do not qualify maybe I should not be here. But England will qualify I am sure of it."
Asked if he would resign now, Eriksson insisted: "Absolutely not, no chance. We have one foot in the World Cup. We have two games to go and if we win both we are in the World Cup. Why should I resign?
"Things went wrong on Wednesday, especially in the second half. The manager's job is to try to get it right. I will talk to the players before we come together again and we will get this right."
Eriksson used a 4-5-1 formation last week with captain David Beckham in a deep midfield role.
The system appeared to suit the Real Madrid star but not the rest of the team.
"It is up to me now to get it right and we have to get it right before we meet up for the October games" against Austria and Poland.
Eriksson said he thought he could get Beckham, Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard to play together.
"My job is to help them work together," he said. "We are talking about three of the best players in the world.
"Lampard is playing where he plays for his club so of course they can play together if they are in good form, have the legs and are physically okay. They have done it many times.
"Remember, though, that Gerrard was coming back from injury."
"Things went wrong on Wednesday, especially in the second half. The manager's job is to try to get it right. I will talk to the players before we come together again and we will get this right."
Eriksson used a 4-5-1 formation last week with captain David Beckham in a deep midfield role.
The system appeared to suit the Real Madrid star but not the rest of the team.
"It is up to me now to get it right and we have to get it right before we meet up for the October games" against Austria and Poland.
Eriksson said he thought he could get Beckham, Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard to play together.
"My job is to help them work together," he said. "We are talking about three of the best players in the world.
"Lampard is playing where he plays for his club so of course they can play together if they are in good form, have the legs and are physically okay. They have done it many times.
"Remember, though, that Gerrard was coming back from injury."
