Sven Goran Eriksson: When late coach revealed how corrupt officials prevented him from coaching Super Eagles
The football world has been saddened by the news of the passing of former England coach Sven Goran Eriksson.
In a brief statement, the family of the former Benfica and Roma boss confirmed his death.
“Sven-Goran Eriksson has passed away,” the statement read.
“After a long illness, SGE died during the morning at home surrounded by family.”
After a long battle with illness, Eriksson, who had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer gave up the ghost at age 76 in the early hours of Monday, August 26.
Earlier this year, Eriksson had disclosed that he only had a maximum of a year to live.
In his autobiography titled My Story, the Swedish manager detailed how he lost the opportunity to coach the Super Eagles in the buildup to the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.
Eriksoon disclosed that some corrupt officials within the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) disrupted his plan of leading Nigeria to the 2010 World Cup following his visit to Abuja.
“We met at the Hilton Hotel in Abuja. In the meeting room, about ten people sat behind a table, as if on a panel, and immediately began asking foolish questions,” the late coach recounted.
“After the meeting, they informed me that half of my salary would be deposited in a special bank account, which I refused. That was why I wasn’t given the job.”
His Swedish compatriot, Lars Lagerbäck, was eventually handed the role of leading the Super Eagles to the only World Cup on African soil.
Source: www.mynigeria.com
