Sven-Goran Eriksson obituary: Ex-England manager who could and should have ended trophy drought

Sven-Goran Eriksson: The Ex-England Manager Who Could and Should Have Ended Trophy Drought Sven-Goran Eriksson was engaging, courteous, and a shrewd tactician - and he could, and should, have ended England's trophy drought. The Swedish manager, who sadly passed away recently, left an indelible mark on the English football scene. Eriksson's tenure as England manager spanned from 2001 to 2006, during which he guided the national team to three consecutive major tournaments: the 2002 World Cup, Euro 2004, and the 2006 World Cup. Despite coming agonizingly close, his England side fell short of silverware on each occasion. Born on February 5, 1948, in Torsby, Sweden, Eriksson began his managerial career in his home country before making a name for himself across Europe. His success at Portuguese club Benfica earned him recognition, and it wasn't long before he caught the attention of English football. In January 2001, Eriksson was appointed as the first-ever foreign manager of the England national team. His arrival brought about a sense of optimism and excitement among fans, as England sought to reestablish themselves as a dominant force in international football. Eriksson's tenure got off to an impressive start, with England securing qualification for the 2002 World Cup with ease. The tournament held in South Korea and Japan was seen as an opportunity for