Three reasons why Sven-Göran Eriksson found his way to the Philippines

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Looking to bag the AFF Suzuki Cup this year and boost their morale towards a bigger AFC Asian Cup next year, the Philippine Azkals just signed the multi-titled Sven-Göran Eriksson to lead the squad for the next six months together with Scott Cooper. 

After being laid off for more than a year, the globetrotting, well-known gaffer found his way to the Philippines to face a tougher challenge than any of what he handled before, take the Azkals to Suzuki Cup supremacy and a shock Asian Cup performance.

Though a lot of people seemed sceptical when they heard the news, the Azkals manager Dan Palami confirmed the signing of the world-renowned gaffer for the job during the AFF Suzuki Cup Trophy Tour in World Trade Center, Pasay City.

“When we were looking at the candidates, I’ve always been a dreamer so I said why not go for that [signing Eriksson] and fortunately, I was able to sell to Sven the dream of Philippines football,” Palami said when asked how things led to the signature of Eriksson.

With just a few hours left, we look into the three reasons why Eriksson took the job and how it would actually affect the Philippines’ bid for this year’s AFF Suzuki Cup.

1) A legacy to leave

He’s done a lot of things in the world of football from carrying England to the 2002 World Cup group stages, taking charge of Cameroon in the 2010 World Cup and even signing with Shanghai SIPG. Only one can say, what else would entice Eriksson into taking up the job as the gaffer of the Philippines?

The Philippines has consistently risen from the whipping boys of the region to title hopefuls. With three consecutive semi-finals appearances from 2010 to 2014, the only thing missing for the Azkals is the coveted AFF Suzuki Cup trophy.

Eriksson looks to bring the trophy to the country for the very first time in his stint with the national team as well as provide a boost to their Asian Cup bid next year. His expertise in bringing out the best out of someone not notable in playing the game can be the game-changer for the Azkals as the current squad boasts a lot of talent.

2) New Challenges Ahead

He’s coached the biggest names in the world as well as the biggest clubs but what brought the former England gaffer to the Philippines is the fact that there is a big challenge to bring this basketball-loving nation closer to the world of the beautiful game.

Though England’s former skipper Terry Butcher was the first big name to be called by the Philippines to face these daunting tasks, he left the squad without even seeing them.

When he signed a six-month contract with the Azkals, he assured the nation a lot of bigger things to look forward into during his stay with the national team. With a top-calibre coach like him on the wings, we might see the boys hoist the Suzuki Cup trophy for the first time.

3) Expanding his radar

After spending the last five years in the Far East, he now found himself in Southeast Asia, where a lot of talents are hidden. With him being able to expand his range of coaching in the region, he opens himself up for an opportunity of not only getting a managerial job in SEA but also an opportunity to go back to Europe as leading a squad like Azkals towards supremacy will be a big plus in his resume.

Though it seems like he already reached the pinnacle of being a manager after leading Ivory Coast during their World Cup Campaign in South Africa, the 70-year-old Swede still wants to broaden his experience in football. He couldn’t have chosen a better to strut his stuff when he chose to lead the Azkals in their Suzuki Cup campaign and the upcoming Asian Cup next year.

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