Profiles in potential: Sven-Göran Eriksson

Recently, I listed eight potential coaches for the U.S. Men’s National Team (as determined by Grant Wahl). The following is the penultimate post in a series of biographical sketches—cleverly entitled, “Profiles in potential“—focusing on each of these prospective managers.

The seventh candidate is Sven-Göran Eriksson.

Age: 58

Where he’s from: Sweden

What he does now: Nothing

What he did then: Eriksson coached Degerfors IF and IFK Göteborg of the Swedish Superettan in the late 1970s and early 1980s. He led the latter to a UEFA Cup in 1982. Eriksson was hired by Portuguese side, Benfica, whom he lead to two consecutive league championships.

Following his time in Portugal, he managed AS Roma, leading that side to a Coppa Italia in 1986. In 1987, Eriksson coached Fiorentina and in 1989, he returned to Benfica. After leading Benfica to the final of the European Cup and yet another league championship, he moved back to Italy, coaching Sampdoria from 1992-1997 and Lazio from 1997-2001.

In 2001, Eriksson was named the England manager—the first foreign-born coach to hold that position. He resigned after the 2006 World Cup.

Absurdly unofficial odds that he will get the job: 798 to 1