Former England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson is the new coach of the Philippine Azkals football team.
The Swede who signed a six-month deal will take charge of the team at the Suzuki Cup and the finals of the Asian Cup in January and February, alongside Irishman Scott Cooper.
The 70-year-old s expected to arrive in Manila this week for the team’s training camp ahead of the regional Suzuki Cup, which kicks off on November 8.
“One of the most legendary coaches of all time, coach Sven Goran Eriksson, will be coaching the Azkals for the Suzuki Cup and the Asian Cup,” team manager Dan Palami said.
“There were a lot of countries and clubs interested in Sven’s services, but we were able to sell him the idea of leaving a legacy here in the Philippines.” added Palami.
With the signing, the Azkals get a high-profile coach with vast experience winning in top European leagues.
Eriksson in 2001 became the first foreigner to head England’s football team, and he took them to two World Cups.
The Swede also guided Benfica to three Portuguese Primeira Liga titles in Portugal, and Lazio to the Italian Serie A championship.
He takes charge as the Philippine team enjoys unprecedented success, having jumped as high as 111 in the FIFA rankings in May 2018.
The Philippines face Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand and East Timor in the regional tournament before playing at the Asian Cup finals for the first time in January, where they will face South Korea, China and Kyrgyzstan at the tournament in the United Arab Emirates.
Erickson will lead an Azkals team led by the first-ever Filipino to play in the English Premier League Cardiff City goalkeeper Neil Etheridge.
