5 interesting facts about Sven-Goran Eriksson you may not know

The Swedish tactician HAS made it clear that he is interested in becoming the Blue Tigers' next head coach. 

The former manager of the English, Mexican and most recently the Philippines national sides, Sven-Goran Eriksson has thrown his hat into the ring to become the manager of the Indian national team after the departure of Stephen Constantine.

We at Khel Now take a look at some of the more interesting parts of the life and times of the highly-outspoken tactician.

5. Eriksson led Lazio to an unprecedented Serie A title in 2000

Watch: Eriksson was a fan-favorite among the Lazio faithful

The Swede took the reigns at Lazio in 1997 and enjoyed four trophy-laden years in Rome, where he won eight titles between 1997 and 2001. Eriksson was blessed with the services of the likes of Marcelo Salas, Roberto Mancini and Hernan Crespo, with whom he led Lazio to only the second Serie A title in their history. The club has not won the competition since.

4. Eriksson was the first manager to win league-cup doubles in three different countries

Sven-Goran Eriksson rubbed a lot of fans up the wrong way with his pragmatic approach to the game, but his results always spoke for themselves. He won his first league-cup double at IFK Goteborg in 1982. The Swede was then snapped up by Benfica, where he won the double in his first season, before he finished his personal treble at Lazio in the 1999-2000 season.

3. Eriksson was the first foreign manager to coach the English national team

Watch: Eriksson led England at two FIFA World Cups

In January 2001, took over the reins of the English national team  from Kevin Keegan. The Swedish coach would turn around the nation’s results almost immediately and lead the team through one of its most successful spells in recent years. Under him, the Three Lions achieved the highest point percentage in major tournaments for an England manager.

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2. The News of the World incident

Sven-Goran Eriksson was the victim of an undercover operation by Mazher Mahmood, a reporter for the now defunct newspaper, News of the World. Mahmood posed as an Arab Sheikh who was interested in taking over Aston Villa. The reporter got the Swedish coach to admit on camera that he would quit his job with the English national team provided they won the World Cup, to join the Villains.  

The incident left a bad taste in the mouth of the FA who sacked Eriksson after the 2006 World Cup.

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1. On screen appearance in Goal! The Dream Begins

Although, Eriksson is best known for his antics on the touchline, the Swede has dabbled in the show business as well. He played himself in the 2005 film, Goal! The Dream Begins, which is a cult favourite amongst football fans all over the world. The 71-year-old has also released an autobiography titled, “My Story.”