I'm away from my computer now but I wanted to post a link to SI.com. I wrote a column on the Sven-Goran Eriksson firing and sort of the overall state of El Tri.
Here's the link to the main soccer page on SI.com. Hopefully my story's up.
If you've been reading my blog, you know where I stand on the issue. Javier Aguirre looks like he's the man, and I didn't really get into that in my column, but anyone who thinks Aguirre is going to be able to flip a switch and have the team firing on all cylinders and having their way with every team from now on is mistaken.
That seemed to have happened in 2001, but the team is much different now, and I talk about that part so read the column to get my thoughts on that aspect.
Aguirre is a good manager but he's spent a lot of time in Europe and one of the complaints about Sven was that he didn't know the league and the players, and Aguirre might not be too familiar with the current league and players. Still, he can probably acclimate himself quicker than Sven. But how much will that really matter? Are there any diamonds-in-the-rough out there that will make an immediate impact? In '01 he lopped some players off the team and some he didn't bring back, including Pavel Pardo.
And also, as happy as everyone is about the possibility of Aguirre coming back, he did have a horrendous loss of his own, the 2-0 defeat at the hands of the US in the World Cup. And remember the little thing about the naturalized players? He kind of started it with Gabriel Caballero. So it's not like he doesn't have his own skeletons.
Anyway, check out the story. And let me know what you think of the move. I'm probably in the minority who doesn't think it was the greatest move.
Showing posts with label Eriksson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Eriksson. Show all posts
Friday, April 3, 2009
Sven-toons
A couple of cartoons that ran in Mural over the last two days.
First, this one's after Wednesday's loss in Honduras and ran in Thursday's editions:
Sven says: We're going to regroup and we'll see each other again on June 6.
The Tri guy responds: I'm going to see you again? Don't threaten me.
And this one ran today, as it appears Javier Aguirre is the man:
The sign says: Welcome Home Javier Aguirre
Sven asks: What time does the party start?
Tri trio responds: As soon as the plane for Sweden departs.
First, this one's after Wednesday's loss in Honduras and ran in Thursday's editions:
Sven says: We're going to regroup and we'll see each other again on June 6.The Tri guy responds: I'm going to see you again? Don't threaten me.
And this one ran today, as it appears Javier Aguirre is the man:
The sign says: Welcome Home Javier AguirreSven asks: What time does the party start?
Tri trio responds: As soon as the plane for Sweden departs.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Sven's out
What began as a leap of faith and turned into a rumor has become reality. Sven-Goran Eriksson is no longer Mexico's manager.
Let's see, Hugo Sanchez - Nov 06 to March 08, Chucho Ramirez - March 08 to June 08; Sven Goran Eriksson - June 08 to April 09....
And you wonder why the team looks like shit...
Let's see, Hugo Sanchez - Nov 06 to March 08, Chucho Ramirez - March 08 to June 08; Sven Goran Eriksson - June 08 to April 09....
And you wonder why the team looks like shit...
Gone or not?
Expanding a bit on the story that Mural ran accompanying the cover below, here's a brief translation of the story:
Sven-Goran Eriksson's exit from the national team will be announced on April 27 during the owners' meeting, to give formality to the situation and probably decide his successor.
After the 3-1 loss in Honduras, the pressure became too much for the FMF leadership. The press conference with the manager had just finished and the calls began to put the backup plan in place, the one that federation officials acknowledged having a week ago just in case.
And the time has come. Justino Compean, president of the FMF, asked director of national teams Nestor De La Torre to take the first steps and, in plain view outside the locker room, the ex-vice president of Guadalajara began making phone calls meanwhile the official waited. Sven-Goran was not around at that time.
The rest of the story goes on to talk about how Sven had a talk with the federation, and that after the team bus left the officials continued making calls, and mentions Javier Aguirre and Jose Manuel "Chepo" De La Torre as replacements.
All that seems like a giant leap of faith, to assume that everything that went on after the game would lead anyone to believe that the manger will be gone for sure. Maybe he'll be gone, but it doesn't seem as if that determination was made yet.
Stories are breaking that there will be an emergency meeting today to determine Sven's future, but determining one's future and saying one's future is non-existent are two different things.
Just seems like irresponsible journalism.
Sven-Goran Eriksson's exit from the national team will be announced on April 27 during the owners' meeting, to give formality to the situation and probably decide his successor.
After the 3-1 loss in Honduras, the pressure became too much for the FMF leadership. The press conference with the manager had just finished and the calls began to put the backup plan in place, the one that federation officials acknowledged having a week ago just in case.
And the time has come. Justino Compean, president of the FMF, asked director of national teams Nestor De La Torre to take the first steps and, in plain view outside the locker room, the ex-vice president of Guadalajara began making phone calls meanwhile the official waited. Sven-Goran was not around at that time.
The rest of the story goes on to talk about how Sven had a talk with the federation, and that after the team bus left the officials continued making calls, and mentions Javier Aguirre and Jose Manuel "Chepo" De La Torre as replacements.
All that seems like a giant leap of faith, to assume that everything that went on after the game would lead anyone to believe that the manger will be gone for sure. Maybe he'll be gone, but it doesn't seem as if that determination was made yet.
Stories are breaking that there will be an emergency meeting today to determine Sven's future, but determining one's future and saying one's future is non-existent are two different things.
Just seems like irresponsible journalism.
Getting the boot
Mexico haven't sacked Sven-Goran Eriksson, though FMF officials did say there would be a review of Eriksson's performance later this month, which could very well mean he will no longer be in charge of El Tri.
But the Mexican media is already kicking him out the door.
But the Mexican media is already kicking him out the door.
Like old times
LB and AC debating yet another footballing topic. This one's on Sven-Goran Eriksson and whether he should stay on as Mexico manager.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Sven's challenges
Here's an interesting column on SI.com. I didn't write it, but it's on Sven-Goran Eriksson and his challenges with his job as Mexican national team manager.
For those of us who follow Mexican football, it might seem simple enough and a lot of this might be common knowledge, but to a lot of those who don't, this is the kinds of things they don't realize are happening in Mexico. Keep in mind, this was written for World Soccer magazine, so a lot of their readers probably have little or no familiarity with Mexico, so a lot of this may be new to them.
Anyway, though it was worth a read for those trying to familiarize themselves with or get up to speed on Mexico. This was written before the Costa Rica win (it's in the current issue of the magazine).
For those of us who follow Mexican football, it might seem simple enough and a lot of this might be common knowledge, but to a lot of those who don't, this is the kinds of things they don't realize are happening in Mexico. Keep in mind, this was written for World Soccer magazine, so a lot of their readers probably have little or no familiarity with Mexico, so a lot of this may be new to them.
Anyway, though it was worth a read for those trying to familiarize themselves with or get up to speed on Mexico. This was written before the Costa Rica win (it's in the current issue of the magazine).
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Sven should stay
I organized my earlier thoughts from yesterday into a column for SI.com and added some quotes from a press conference that was held in Mexico City.
I stand by my original statement that Sven-Goran Eriksson should not be fired, and apparently the FMF bosses think so too.
Now, that doesn't mean things won't change if the unimaginable happens... well, at least it seemed unimaginable until recently. If Costa Rica somehow beats Mexico in Azteca on March 28, then Mexico goes to Honduras three days later. Things might change quickly after that.
Anyone remember what happened the last time Mexico hosted Costa Rica and then went down to Honduras in a Hexagonal?
But we'll cross that bridge when we get to it. And I say let Eriksson try and avoid that bridge.
I stand by my original statement that Sven-Goran Eriksson should not be fired, and apparently the FMF bosses think so too.
Now, that doesn't mean things won't change if the unimaginable happens... well, at least it seemed unimaginable until recently. If Costa Rica somehow beats Mexico in Azteca on March 28, then Mexico goes to Honduras three days later. Things might change quickly after that.
Anyone remember what happened the last time Mexico hosted Costa Rica and then went down to Honduras in a Hexagonal?
But we'll cross that bridge when we get to it. And I say let Eriksson try and avoid that bridge.
In reserve
This cartoon ran in Thursday's edition of Cancha:
Javier Aguirre stands behind Sven-Goran Eriksson and says (presumably to Lil' Tri): You, calm down... I rescued "Ojitos" once.
(Ojitos is Enrique Meza, who was Aguirre's predecessor in 2001 when Mexico struggled in qualification)
Javier Aguirre stands behind Sven-Goran Eriksson and says (presumably to Lil' Tri): You, calm down... I rescued "Ojitos" once.
(Ojitos is Enrique Meza, who was Aguirre's predecessor in 2001 when Mexico struggled in qualification)
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Curbing instability
Mexico would be a stronger team right now had they kept Ricardo Lavolpe.
Now, I'm not saying that Lavolpe is a better manager than Sven-Goran Eriksson, or that the Mexican media and supporters would have put up with Lavolpe after the 2006 World Cup, when Hugo Sanchez was all the rage.
But I am saying that Lavolpe had one thing that Eriksson didn't, and that's time. Lavolpe was hired to take over Mexico in late 2002 and had time to build the team, bleed new internationals and weed out veterans, guide the team through a tournament like the Gold Cup... all before he played a single World Cup qualifier. And then, Mexico had a waltz through the semifinal round before qualifying for the World Cup with two games to spare.
Eriksson was thrown into the fire, and by his own admission had little knowledge of the Mexican league and its players. In a few months, he was asked to guide Mexico through qualifying against some decent competition. Having had little time to prepare and zero experience in managing a CONCACAF team against other CONCACAF teams.
So what happened? Mexico went out and struggled on the road, and everyone was surprised. There has been little continuity in Mexico since 2000. Manuel Lapuente had some good teams at the turn of the century but he moved on, and Enrique Meza took over. That's one coaching change in the midst of a World Cup cycle. Meza lasted not even a year on the job as he nearly sunk Mexico's World Cup 2002 hopes. Javier Aguirre came in, did well to lead Mexico to the World Cup, and moved on after '02. Lavolpe came in, and after the '06 World Cup, enter Hugo Sanchez.
Sanchez actually had the team in decent shape. Where he failed was 1) the Olympic team, which he never ever should have coached, and 2) bringing in the foreigners he so harshly criticized. He may have been able to weather that storm had his popularity not sunk like a stone in the ocean.
Out with Sanchez, in with Eriksson, and that's three coaching changes in the midst of World Cup cycles. And that's just since 2000.
Now there's rumors and speculation about Eriksson own future. If he loses, he's toast seems to be the gist of most of them. While it may seem logical to remove him - a struggling team struggles again, which will only lead to more struggles - if history has shown anything, it's that the lack of continuity has gotten Mexico to where it is today; a talented team with lots of resources and support but also lots of questions and instability.
But if Mexico does lose tonight, Eriksson should stay. Even if its a bad loss, he should stay. If it's a win, everybody is happy and all is right with the world, right? Not exactly. Eriksson has lots and lots of work to do, no matter the result. And he should be given the time to do the work.
After all, if the Mexican federation brought him in as coach, let him coach.
Now, I'm not saying that Lavolpe is a better manager than Sven-Goran Eriksson, or that the Mexican media and supporters would have put up with Lavolpe after the 2006 World Cup, when Hugo Sanchez was all the rage.
But I am saying that Lavolpe had one thing that Eriksson didn't, and that's time. Lavolpe was hired to take over Mexico in late 2002 and had time to build the team, bleed new internationals and weed out veterans, guide the team through a tournament like the Gold Cup... all before he played a single World Cup qualifier. And then, Mexico had a waltz through the semifinal round before qualifying for the World Cup with two games to spare.
Eriksson was thrown into the fire, and by his own admission had little knowledge of the Mexican league and its players. In a few months, he was asked to guide Mexico through qualifying against some decent competition. Having had little time to prepare and zero experience in managing a CONCACAF team against other CONCACAF teams.
So what happened? Mexico went out and struggled on the road, and everyone was surprised. There has been little continuity in Mexico since 2000. Manuel Lapuente had some good teams at the turn of the century but he moved on, and Enrique Meza took over. That's one coaching change in the midst of a World Cup cycle. Meza lasted not even a year on the job as he nearly sunk Mexico's World Cup 2002 hopes. Javier Aguirre came in, did well to lead Mexico to the World Cup, and moved on after '02. Lavolpe came in, and after the '06 World Cup, enter Hugo Sanchez.
Sanchez actually had the team in decent shape. Where he failed was 1) the Olympic team, which he never ever should have coached, and 2) bringing in the foreigners he so harshly criticized. He may have been able to weather that storm had his popularity not sunk like a stone in the ocean.
Out with Sanchez, in with Eriksson, and that's three coaching changes in the midst of World Cup cycles. And that's just since 2000.
Now there's rumors and speculation about Eriksson own future. If he loses, he's toast seems to be the gist of most of them. While it may seem logical to remove him - a struggling team struggles again, which will only lead to more struggles - if history has shown anything, it's that the lack of continuity has gotten Mexico to where it is today; a talented team with lots of resources and support but also lots of questions and instability.
But if Mexico does lose tonight, Eriksson should stay. Even if its a bad loss, he should stay. If it's a win, everybody is happy and all is right with the world, right? Not exactly. Eriksson has lots and lots of work to do, no matter the result. And he should be given the time to do the work.
After all, if the Mexican federation brought him in as coach, let him coach.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Sven going away?
Portsmouth sacked manager Tony Adams on Monday in a move that at first seemed to have little consequence on this side of the pond.
However, English tabloid Mirror reported earlier today that Portsmouth would be interested in bringing Sven-Goran Eriksson in as manager to help the struggling club find itself as soon as possible.
According to Mirror's report, Eriksson has told friends that he would be willing to "walk from Mexico back to London" for the Chelsea job (Chelsea also sacked their manager, Luiz Felipe Scolari, on Monday) but that the Portsmouth job might be more attainable.
I'm not sure about reports like this. In some ways, any job that opens up is supposedly going to be filled by some big-name candidate who is employed at the time. It stands to reason then that Eriksson would get linked to a position in the English Premiership. However, if this is true, how much has he been focused on the task of qualifying Mexico to the World Cup, of helping Mexico start the Hexagonal in the best manner possible?
A lot will happen in the next 48 hours that will determine both his own fate and the team's chances in qualifying as well. Only time will tell if this report has any meat to it, and luckily for everyone involved that time will pass soon enough.
However, English tabloid Mirror reported earlier today that Portsmouth would be interested in bringing Sven-Goran Eriksson in as manager to help the struggling club find itself as soon as possible.
According to Mirror's report, Eriksson has told friends that he would be willing to "walk from Mexico back to London" for the Chelsea job (Chelsea also sacked their manager, Luiz Felipe Scolari, on Monday) but that the Portsmouth job might be more attainable.
I'm not sure about reports like this. In some ways, any job that opens up is supposedly going to be filled by some big-name candidate who is employed at the time. It stands to reason then that Eriksson would get linked to a position in the English Premiership. However, if this is true, how much has he been focused on the task of qualifying Mexico to the World Cup, of helping Mexico start the Hexagonal in the best manner possible?
A lot will happen in the next 48 hours that will determine both his own fate and the team's chances in qualifying as well. Only time will tell if this report has any meat to it, and luckily for everyone involved that time will pass soon enough.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Day of Rest
With six days left before Mexico's crucial World Cup qualifier against the U.S., what did Mexico spend time on? Did they practice tactics? Maybe try and work on the attack? Possibly set pieces?
No. Mexico did nothing.
Tri coach Sven Goran Eriksson gave the team the day off as he celebrated his 61st birthday.
Mural ran this cartoon today:
The American says: I have studied you well... I know all of your defects and virtues.
The Tri guy points to Sven and responds: Tell him, he's the one who doesn't know me.
No. Mexico did nothing.
Tri coach Sven Goran Eriksson gave the team the day off as he celebrated his 61st birthday.
Mural ran this cartoon today:
The American says: I have studied you well... I know all of your defects and virtues.
The Tri guy points to Sven and responds: Tell him, he's the one who doesn't know me.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Slow and slower
Sven-Goran Eriksson was asked on Friday about his options up front for the U.S. game.
"Help me. We don't have a mountain of speedy forwards."
This spawned the following cartoon which appeared in Mural:
A pondering Sven says: I've just realized that we don't have fast forwards.
The snail responds: You just realized that? You are pretty slow yourself.
"Help me. We don't have a mountain of speedy forwards."
This spawned the following cartoon which appeared in Mural:
A pondering Sven says: I've just realized that we don't have fast forwards.
The snail responds: You just realized that? You are pretty slow yourself.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Friday, November 21, 2008
Confidence is slipping
Guess who is taking the blame for Mexico's recent form?Sven Goran Eriksson. Big surprise there, I'm sure. Something is wrong with Mexico and it must be the coach's fault, right?
That's apparently the overwhelming sentiment amongst Tri fans. Cancha did a survey and found that 60 percent of the people they polled wanted Eriksson out, 64 percent said they were embarrassed with how Mexico qualified to the Hexagonal and 72 percent were not sure if Mexico would play well in the Hex.
Furthermore, 29 percent said they felt Mexico would not qualify for the World Cup. Cancha asked the same question in August and September and on both occasions only seven percent felt Mexico would not qualify.
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