Leicester sack Sven
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Subscribe to Football League by EmailSven Goran Eriksson has been sacked by Leicester City. Following the side’s 3-0 defeat against Millwall.
Eriksson, who has notched up management roles in six countries since 1977, including Mexico and Cote d’Ivoire, joined City in October, last year. The Swede took the club from the drop zone to tenth in the table over the course of several months, but an inconsistent start to the 2011/12 campaign saw the board lose patience. Anyone following the online betting will know the side were strong favourites at the start of the season.
“Football is a results industry, and unfortunately we couldn’t quite get things right enough of the time”, Eriksson said.
“I am disappointed to be leaving Leicester City. It was always my aim to lead the club into the Barclays Premier League, and I am very sorry that I won’t be able to do that.”
The Foxes’ decision to sack Eriksson may come as a surprise to some fans. Leicester are not in a difficult position, standing two points adrift of the coveted play-off spots, but after investing heavily the club’s owners clearly want instant results. The betting shows they weren’t doing as well as they should be.
The former England manager was reportedly lining up a coaching position for his comrade in the England dugout, Steve McClaren, prior to being given the boot by City. However, the likelihood is that McClaren will remain in the dole queue, as Leicester are looking elsewhere for their next boss.
City are rumoured to be interested in appointing Martin O’Neill, who guided the club to the Premier League and then Europe back in the late 1990s.
Sven feels Beckford is the key
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Subscribe to Football League by EmailSven Goran Eriksson admits he “expects a lot” from Jermaine Beckford this season and feels the striker can fire Leicester to promotion from the Championship.
The 27-year-old made his debut for the Foxes last weekend, following his £2.5million switch from Everton on transfer deadline day.
Despite the addition of the former Leeds frontman, Leicester dropped points again as they were held to a 1-1 draw at struggling Barnsley. People who have placed football bets will know the Foxes aren’t looking like the side people were expecting.
Having spent more than anyone else in the division and after recruiting over a dozen new signings, Eriksson is under no illusions that promotion is what is expected from the fans and the board and the football tips reflect this.
But after six matches, Leicester find themselves in mid-table with eight points from six games and the former England boss admitted that the display at Oakwell was “not good enough”.
Eriksson had been desperate to add another quality striker to squad last month and he believes Beckford can be a key player for the Foxes, once he settles into his new environment.
The Leicester boss said: “We all expect a lot from him. He is coming from the Premier League and he is an expensive player for this level.
“You can see he is a threat for anyone because of his pace, he runs in behind.”
Leicester’s home form has been a concern for Eriksson, with just three points from a possible nine so far this term.
The Foxes’ promotion credentials will be severely tested this weekend, when they entertain league leaders Brighton – unbeaten in their first six games – at the King Power Stadium.