OTHER SPORT

SVEN'S BACK

Sven Goran Eriksson is unveiled at a press conference at the City of Manchester Stadium

Friday July 6,2007

By Julia White for express.co.uk

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FORMER England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson has made a return to football by being officially appointed as the new manager of Manchester City.

The 59-year-old is heading to the City of Manchester stadium after signing a three-year contract with the club.

Speaking half an hour after putting pen to paper on the contract, the Swede said he has nothing to prove and is very excited about his first job in the Premiership.

He said: “Manchester City are a big, big football club and it’s a big challenge. That’s why I’ve accepted the job.

Eriksson outside the City of Manchester stadium this afternoon

“The Premier League is the best league in the world. It’s going to be an exciting job and I’m looking forward to the season.”

“I’ve had some other offers in the past but am happy that I signed here. And I couldn’t care less if I’m their first, second or third choice.”

Did I really do so bad with England?

Sven Goran Eriksson

Eriksson has been lined up for the job for several weeks but his appointment relied on new owner Thaksin Shinawatra acquiring more than 75 per cent of city shares, which happened today.

The former Thai prime minister is rumoured to be handing Eriksson £50m to bring in players but the new manager refused to comment on how much.

“I can promise you that you will see new faces and not only one. But how much money will be spent I don’t know," he said.

"Let's wait until the middle of August and you will see."

“It’s a big club and most football players around the world would want to play for Manchester City.

“We also have six players coming from the academy. That’s rare to any club. We have some young, very good footballers and that’s something to build on.

And Eriksson he said he wants to improve the club’s performances.

“It’s too early to talk about targets. We will be competitive. I’m sure in future we’ll see Manchester City high up in the table. We want to be up there with the big ones.”

Asked whether he thought he had to prove himself after his disappointing reign as England manager he said: “I have never worked in the Premier League before so I don’t know if I have to prove myself or not,” he said.

“I know what I have done in the past and I am looking forward to an exciting job and an exciting season.

“Every time you are a coach, you have pressure whatever team it is. I hope I will have a big pressure as that means I am at a big football club.

“Did I really do so bad with England?," he added.

And he said that after being absent from the game for twelve months, after being sacked following a dismal England performance in the World Cup he was very happy to be back.

“Am I Hungry? 110 per cent. I’ve lived a year without football and so I'm extremely excited to be back. Waking up in the morning and not knowing exactly what to do is horrible.”

The Swede takes over from Stuart Pearce who was sacked by the club at the end of last season.

Asked whether he was confident he would succeed where others have failed he said: “I don’t think about the other managers. I’m here to do a good job. You don’t think that you will fail.