Sweden's dream team

Soderberg is the man motivator of the duo

BBC Sport Online's Paul Fletcher profiles the managerial team that has guided Sweden to the World Cup finals.

There will be three Swedish managers in charge of the two teams when England meet Sweden at Old Trafford on 10 November.

Sven Goran Eriksson will be hoping his intelligent, considered revival of the England team's fortunes continues with an impressive display against his compatriots.

But on the other side of the Old Trafford dug-out, the Swedish management team of Tommy Soderberg and Lars Lagerback will also want their team to continue their fine run of form.

Running a national team is not a one man show

Tommy Soderberg

Soderberg was appointed as Sweden's coach in 1998 - after three years working with the Under-21 team - coming in to replace Tommy Svensson.

Lagerback was appointed assistant national coach in the same year and made joint national coach last year.

"Running a national team is not a one-man show," said Soderberg at the time.

But as Sweden's Euro 2000 form testifies, the partnership did not instantly produce results.

Rejuvinated

After Sweden's disappointing Euro 2000 campaign the knives were undeniably out.

Sweden failed to recover from defeat in the tournament's opening game against Belgium and finished bottom of Group B.

Sweden's only point in Euro 2000 came courtesy of a dour goalless draw with Turkey.

And Soderberg's and Lagerback's team were widely derided.

But just 15 months later, Sweden came from behind to beat Turkey 2-1 in Istanbul to secure their passage to next year's World Cup.

Sweden finished their World Cup qualification campaign unbeaten and the critics have all but disappeared.

Lagerback is an astute tactician

"I have doubted but now I am saved. Hallelujah," wrote Swedish journalist Mats Olsson in his column in the Expressen newspaper.

The duo can now begin their preparations for Korea and Japan safe in the knowledge that they have the support of the media and the fans back home.

Soderberg is widely regarded as the brilliant motivator while Lagerback is a tactical expert.

Anf after a difficult start, the blend of skills that the two men bring to the job seems to be working - their compatriot Eriksson has been warned.