Mexicans say 'no' to Sven
Seven players of Mexico’s national team have spoken out about the possible appointment of Sven Goran Eriksson.
Eriksson is expected to depart Manchester City sooner rather than later and has been earmarked by the Mexican Football Federation, with president Justino Compean revealing an appointment could be made as early as next week.
A contingent of players, led by veteran striker Jared Borgetti, sought to head off the possible appointment, with the consensus being that Hugo Sanchez’s successor should be a Mexican.
Borgetti said: "In Mexico it has been said for a long time that the coach had to be someone from Mexico and when we had that coach he wasn't allowed to work even for a year. I don't think that Eriksson is the correct decision as many players don't speak English and I am not very sure if he knows anything about Mexican football."
Antonio Naelson, Luis Perez, Johnny Magallon, Gonzalo Pineda, Ricardo Osorio and Aaron Galindo would also vote against the Swede.
"I think that if the new coach is someone that knows more about Mexican football it can be useful but those are decisions that don't depend on the players. He [Eriksson] is a coach well known in Europe who will come to work in Mexico but I would prefer someone from Mexico," said Naelson.
"The new coach should be someone that knows a lot about Mexican football because we don't have so much time from now until the next World Cup begins. If we were talking about four years then I wouldn't have any problem in bringing in a coach like him," said Luis Perez.
"One of the most important things is that many of us don't speak English. Maybe he doesn't have any problem in making us understand what he wants us to do on the pitch but what mostly worries me is if he will have enough time for getting to know how the Mexican player is and even if the supporters will back him," added Magallon. |