Foxy Sven embracing new lease of life at Leicester
Published 22:00 15/10/10 By James Nursey
Sven Goran Eriksson reckons being a hands-on manager with Leicester has rejuvenated him.
Former England boss Eriksson, 62, was unveiled earlier this month on a three-year contract at the Walkers Stadium.
He has been attracted by the club’s new Thai owners with a brief to steer the Foxes back into the Premier League.
His opening game at the helm is today when Hull arrive under ex-Leicester chief Nigel Pearson.
Foxes officials and Championship sponsors npower are pulling out all the stops to welcome Eriksson and will today dish out 2,000 Sven masks, 2,000 flags and 500 flyers with the his face on.
The club’s megastore is also selling Sven scarves and mugs and signed pictures of the former England boss.
It is Eriksson’s first match back in full-time club management since being sacked by Man City in June 2008. And the Swede is buzzing after spells with Mexico and the Ivory Coast in between the debacle at Notts County, where he was director of football.
“It is good to be back on the training ground and it is good to be out there,” said Eriksson, who succeeded the sacked Paolo Sousa. “To be out on that training pitch with young people always makes you feel younger.
“It is something I have done all my life and something I enjoy. They are good guys and there are no problems.
“It is a big challenge and that is why I was interested to sign. We know what the owners want to do and it is exciting.
“Lately, the club has had some difficulties and suddenly you see some light at the end of the tunnel. It awakens the dreams and hopes of many people.”
Eriksson’s first task as boss was to mastermind a 2-0 win over Thailand’s national team during the international break.
He added: “The players’ confidence is good.”
