Good morning all. Welcome to the start of a very busy week in the soccer world.
We have USA-Spain coming on Wednesday, the European Championships beginning on Saturday and the USA-Argentina friendly at Giants Stadium set for Sunday.
SBI will have you covered on all fronts. Look for our Euro 2008 previews to begin running later today, starting with a Group A preview.
Before we kick off Monday’s usual schedule of MLS Power Rankings and MLS Best XI, here are some news stories from the weekend and this morning to get your day going:
Sven leaves Manchester City
The inevitable finally happened on Monday as Manchester City and manager Sven Goran Eriksson parted ways. The former England national team manager left after just one season with the club as a poor second half of the season doomed him. Eriksson has been linked to the Mexican national team job, with some reports saying he could be named Mexico coach as early as today.
Man City eye Hughes to replace Sven
Manchester City’s search for a replacement to the recently fired Sven Goran Erikkson has led them to nearby Blackburn, where Mark Hughes has expressed an interested in speaking with City. Hughes has been great for Blackburn but appears ready to join a bigger club.
Flamini joins France Euro squad
Soon-to-be AC Milan midfielder Mathieu Flamini has been added to France’s Euro 2008 roster after growing concerns about the fitness of Patrick Viera. No player was cut from the France roster yet as the French have until June 8 to make changes to their squad.
England downs T&T
A pair of Jermaine Defoe goals helped England topple Trinidad & Tobago, 3-0, in a friendly in Port of Spain. David Beckham had the packed crowd going crazy, but didn’t much on the field to live up to the adoration.
Santos wins Mexican championship
Santos Laguna won the Mexican League championship on Sunday after drawing Cruz Azul, 1-1, to take the two-game series 3-2. The title comes just a year after Santos won on the final weekend (against Cruz Azul) to avoid relegation.
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mike ruze – u are a moron to think that Sven ‘sucked’ with City. Remember this team was fighting relegation last season and this season challenged for a spot in Europe. Would’ve had one if injuries and the wear for players not used to the Prem didn’t take its toll. Oh ya, and having a 10 goal striker would’ve helped.
Last word on tix sold for US-Arg was 53K and that was early last week…
I agree with Dan, Sven did what he could with Man City but he needed more time to find consistency.
As for his England gig, well I for one still think they’re a bit overrated and if you analyze England’s record before Sven took over I don’t know how you can say he underachieved, if anything it was the players who underachieved.
He will be a good fit for Mexico, especially now that the core of the national team plays in Europe. Regarding what some of the players said about Erikkson’s appointment, it was just a case of the Mexican media blowing sh1t out of proportion, as usual. The players were complaining about the timing of Erikkson’s arrival, with the WC just two years away and despite what many think, the CONCACAF WCQs are not a cake-walk, especially this time around with a really good Honduras side and an eager and hungry (as well as very talented) Canada.
I agree with Dan, Sven did what he could with Man City but he needed more time to find consistency.
As for his England gig, well I for one still think they’re a bit overrated and if you analyze England’s record before Sven took over I don’t know how you can say he underachieved, if anything it was the players who underachieved.
He will be a good fit for Mexico, especially now that the core of the national team plays in Europe. Regarding what some of the players said about Erikkson’s appointment, it was just a case of the Mexican media blowing sh1t out of proportion, as usual. The players were complaining about the timing of Erikkson’s arrival, with the WC just two years away and despite what many think, the CONCACAF WCQs are not a cake-walk, especially this time around with a really good Honduras side and an eager and hungry (as well as very talented) Canada.
too bad for sven, he really had a good year, idk what people are talking about, i think 9th in the premiership is a pretty good record, for a team that has been 13th and 15th and around there for the past few years…and sven needed another few years to build the squad…kudos to him, and now Man City and England are gonna be paying him for a few years hahaha.
You assume they care about winning games and Champions Leagues and what not. All they really care about is having a vehicle to launder their looted billions …
I don’t really think a poor second half of the season doomed Sven. What doomed Sven is a rich owner thinking that simply buying a club and buying a good coach will bring an instantaneous Champions League Berth. Sick of it.
Ives, what’s the latest on Jozy Altidore? I read that Newcastle was interested and also Villareal are supposedly bidding on him.
two questions on US-Arg. anyone know how many tickets have been sold? and any idea of what time they will open the parking lots for tailgating? someone told me not til 5, which would be a little weak.
Mexico wants Sven? He did nothing with a 10 times better English squad. Sucked with Man City. Plus It though Mex prided itself on its alleged “beautiful play”. Something Sven is not Known for.
Bad fit Maurinho, Aguirre, or one of the Spanish coaches would have been better fit.
Will Sven make a dramatic debut appearance in San Diego for the Argie game on Wed. or in Chicago for the Peru tuneup on Sunday? Will this serve as a distraction to the Mexican team prior to their WCQ buildup? Can Jared Borgetti eat his words criticizing the hiring of a foreigner after Sven brings them all the way to the WC semis in 2010? Did I leave my iron on?