SVEN-GORAN ERIKSSON has urged manager Gareth Southgate to quit if he guides England to World Cup glory.
The England manager has led his side to a World Cup semi-final and Euros final in his two tournaments and optimism is high for the tournament in Qatar.
Eriksson managed England between 2001 and 2006, but never managed to get the side past a quarter-final at international tournaments.
He believes that should Southgate take the Three Lions all the way to the trophy that he should step down as boss as he can’t do any better.
He told The Telegraph: “The people expect a lot [now]. Southgate is spoiling them! If he doesn’t reach a quarter-final, I think it will be a problem.
“If you are a dreamer, as an England fan, you want the trophy in your lifetime.
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“If England win it, my advice to Gareth Southgate is to go. It can’t get any better than that.
“It is unfair to criticise him for being too defensive because he’s done one final and one semi-final.
“It is very difficult to do much better than that.”
Eriksson has previously backed England to win the World Cup as the players from England are used to playing in the winter months, rather than having a break like many European countries.
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He told SunSport: “This World Cup is not after a long, hard, tough Premier League season. It’s at the beginning of the season.
“I don’t think these English players are more tired than anyone else, whether that’s players from Germany, France, or wherever.
“It’s strange that the World Cup is in winter time and it is being played without any preparation, like friendly games.
“But maybe it’s good for England because they are not half-dead from the Premier League season.”
England kick off their World Cup campaign against Iran on November 21.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
