Is success down to Eriksson?

Sven Goran Eriksson made history on Wednesday night in Athens with five wins out of five.

Is England's newfound success down to the smiling Swede?

England remain behind Germany in the race for automatic qualification in Group Nine.

And despite being favourites to win a runners-up slot, the team could still top the group table.

There were plenty of sceptics who feared a foreign coach would be the downfall of the national team.

But has Sven finally silenced his critics?

How will he fare in his first German meeting in Munich?

And is Eriksson destined to become an England manager to remember?

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Regarding England's results in their last five games I would suggest that you don't get over excited. Sure you have won five games a feat that in Scotland would merit a public holiday but don't count your chickens! The teams you have played (with respect) are poor. You may claim that you played Spain but there are two simple facts that you should remember. Firstly it was a home friendly, and secondly Spain left out or were missing several key players. From what I have seen despite your victories the performances are getting better especially organisation and fluency. You are on the right track to recovery and I hope we don't see you in any more play-offs.
Lee Morris, Scotland

You can only judge this man once we get in major competition (World Cup or European Championships) however still a good start. We'll see even though I still think England would have got where they are with Kevin Keegan. It's not about the manager it's about the players.
Pro, England

In a word yes, I didn't agree with going outside England for our manager but you can't argue with results, he has picked the side that previous managers should have picked and he has done an excellent job. I wouldn't of picked Beckham has a captain but he worked his guts out last night and that's why Sven is the manager and not me. Keep the results coming Sven.
Bob Shoesmith, England

The man's secret is his almost unbelievable coolness

  Robert, Germany

Days like these I'm a very proud Swede. Watching Sven Göran coaching the English team to victory after victory. The only mistake, well it should've been done earlier.
Mikael, Sweden

Sven is the first manager since Venables who is actually up to the job, compared to their counterparts, Hoddle and Keegan were abysmal. They were clearly lacking in all departments and their decisions were dictated by the press. Eriksson has done things his way and gained respect.

The blend of English and continental management has brought our game on tactically and Beckham has also played a huge part. Shearer always weighed us down as captain, the team lacked competitiveness because he always played and Beckham is showing how good he really is, and how influential he can be. It's a team effort, and it needed a gamble on some of our younger players and I'm pleased to see it looks like coming off.
Alex Allen, England

The man's secret is his almost unbelievable coolness - not something you could say of any England manager since, well, Ron Greenwood probably. The Germans could well beat us, since they are confident and physically very strong. But they will probably be expecting the same England they played in October.
Robert, Germany

Mr. Eriksson may not be English but he knows the best tactics and strategies for the team

  Ahadi, Tanzania

Once again it has been proven beyond reasonable doubt that a person's ability is not related to his nationality or country of origin. Mr. Eriksson may not be English but he knows the best tactics and strategies for the team. However, Mr Eriksson and team will need more time and hard work to be the best in the world.
Ahadi , Tanzania

What a delight to see an England team passing the ball well and playing with the coherence that they have been lacking for years. Congratulations to Sven for sticking his neck out with the younger players which Keegan should have done in Euro 2000. Let's not get carried away there's a lot of work to be done yet but at least things are going in the right direction and we have young players who can only improve.
Philip Savage, England

I know it goes against the grain, England fans, but give Eriksson time. If England fails to qualify for the World Cup, or make no impression, the knives will be out. However, he is re-building a national set-up and should be judged on the performance going into the next Euro championships. Realism should be the watchword.
Aidan, Ireland

Sven has made all the difference

  Pete, England

It took a Scotsman (Crozier) to appoint a Swede (Eriksson) as England team manager while all the English press and a lot of the public were crying scandal. Well done to both of them for showing a bit of courage and forward thinking. If the English FA had acted like this 20yrs ago, I'm sure the team would have won a major tournament by now.
Raymund, France

I think this is bigger than football or sport.

In the last two years were have appointed Fletcher to in cricket, Eriksson in football, a Frenchman to lead development in tennis and an Aussie in swimming, plus gave the best coach award to a German for his amazing track record with our rowing teams.

This speaks to me of a nation actually beginning to recover a degree of self-assurance - willing to recognise problems and find the right solutions. Though we seem to have forgotten it, Britain was famously a country with a truly international perspective and our reluctance to learn other languages and apparent suspicion of all things European shouldn't mask the strongly liberal tendencies, which made us.
John, UK

Sven has made all the difference. We finally have an England manager who is willing to pick players on form rather than reputation. The mood is good and the players seem at ease with him. The team last night were superb and I think we can beat Germany no problem - My only problem is Emile Heskey. He is not a left sided player or indeed a player of any quality. Bring Macca in for the Germany game
Pete, England

I think this is bigger than football or sport

  John, UK

Success due to Eriksson yes, but also hard work from the players. Actually, I think Beckham's hairdo is the key element to their winning because it puts off opposition! Keep it up Becks; we love you even if the press don't.
Joe, Ireland

Sven is doing a great job and there is no reason to doubt that he has the ability to lead this team all the way. However, let's not forget Peter Taylor who was the instigator of the really big change in the team, that from the old guard to a young, keen and dynamic outfit.
Don W., Australia

As a Celtic supporter I have learned this season that clever, inspirational managers can get results out of players that they were previously incapable of. Eriksson seems to have these qualities, well done England on having the courage to fly in the face of the tabloids and appoint a non-Englishman.
Gerry, Scotland

Sven Goran Eriksson is the best thing to happen to English International football since Bobby Robson and Terry Venables. Here is a Manager that has obviously spent extensive time with his assistant Tord Grip looking at the best English players who can fit into their squad. No bias, no quibble, no excuses, no fuss. Best team + good sound tactics = good results, plain and simple. Well done Sven, well done England.
Adam Alexander, UK

Let's not forget Peter Taylor

  Don W., Australia

Congratulations England! You've got the greatest coach ever! Sven Goran Eriksson has made success as a coach wherever he has been. Just look back on his history! He won the Swedish Premier League two times and the Swedish Cup twice, and the Uefa Cup with IFK Gothenburg (79-82). He won the Portuguese league three times with Benfica. He won Serie A with Lazio. These are just some examples of what he has won; there are a lot more titles to mention.
Rickard Selvehed, Sweden

The success we are now having is down to Sven and the excellent blend of youth and experience in the team. Mr Eriksson has instilled confidence and belief into the squad and has made it easier for them to get on and play football. The fact that he has assembled an excellent coaching team has also had a significant impact on the performances of the team.
Charlie Siegle, England

What a fickle lot supporters can be. Last night we saw them singing praises for the Swede but were no doubt the very same supporters who were lambasting the appointment of a foreign coach only a few months ago. He has proved them all wrong. Sven's success highlights the need to consider ALL players into the squad and not just stick to old favourites (a la Keegan).
Shay, UK

TRANSLATION/FREDDE Perfect. Sven Goran is the best thing that could have happened to the English national team. Controlled and not to over confident. Perfect Varmlandish (a county in Sweden) reserve. A guy from Molkom living in London.
Simboy, Sweden /UK

Perfekt. Sven Goran ar det basta som kunnat handa det engelska landslaget. Kontrollerad och inte for sjalvsaker. Perfekt varmlandskt lugn. En molkomsbo i London
Fredde, UK/Sweden

The transformation is amazing

  Martin Belam, London, UK

It is very refreshing to have a manager that makes everything simple to the fans, players and the media. He simply plays the best players in their correct positions. No fancy formations or national debate where everyone disagrees with the selections made. I think every team we have fielded under Sven is the team the press and public want. The results and performances speak for themselves long may it continue.
Nat Johnson, England

Well done to Sven and the entire England team. The team are playing with a maturity and patience we have not seen for a long time. Win or lose they play admirably and are worthy to be England's national squad. Good luck in September.
Rog, Scotland

The transformation is amazing. Who would have thought that within a year of the debacle that was Keegan's Euro2000 we can sit and watch an England team looking patient and comfortable on the ball, and performing so well away from home.

The FA made a great appointment and I hope they stick with Sven when the going inevitably gets rougher at some point in the future. I still think we will need to go through the play-offs to qualify though.
Martin Belam, London, UK

What a difference a manager/coach who understands player's tactics and strategy can make. The same team that struggled in Euro 2000 now look comfortable on the ball, assured in defence and dangerous going forward.

Good luck to Mr Eriksson and England in September against Germany. Successful there or not, England are a far superior side under his guidance than they have been for years. And well done for the FA for sticking their necks out and appointing the best man for the job - despite the fact he is not English
Tony, England