Is Eriksson right for England?

Sven Goran Eriksson will be the first foreign coach of England. He has a good track record, but no international experience and commitments with Lazio that would keep him away for the next vital games.

So is he the right man for the England job?

Eriksson has won a Serie A title with Lazio, Super Cup and European Cup Winners' Cup with Lazio, Uefa Cup with IFK Gothenburg, three Portuguese titles with Benfica and the Swedish title with Gothenburg.

With that record of success and his tactical nous, the multi-lingual Swede would be regarded by many as an ideal candidate to take England, and the English game, forward.

Others will find it hard to look past the fact he will be the country's first foreign manager.

What do you think? Is Erikkson the answer?

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I truly believe that the England squad with Eriksson at the helm will be able to say: We have been the best, we are not that anymore, but we are going to be the best again. That, regardless of the managers nationality, surely is something to look forward to ?
Tim, Sweden

I have no objection to Eriksson taken over the position, perhaps we need such a huge change of direction to sort out the mess our national game is in. What I do object to is the way the FA have lied to us about shortlists and the right man for the job when it was obvious from the start that they only wanted one man.
Sully, UK

Surprised and dissapointed. What happens when Sweden play England in a vital World Cup match ? At the end of the day, no matter how much you are being paid or are committed to the job, you will always have an alliegance to your home country.
Julian Sperring-Toy, Dubai, UAE

I am not a football supporter, I never watch it but I do think that an English person should be managing the England side. I cannot see how someone who is not English can give 100% support to England especially in something like the world cup. How will he react if England had to play Sweden during any qualifying match? Surely this is a basic conflict of interest? I cannot understand why the only person I hear who is English and suitable was not chosen? Sue Rush
Sue Rush, England

I love England and English football and would be so very proud if Mr Eriksson takes over as coach for England.
Urban Lundqvist, Sweden

First and foremost the job of England Coach should go to an Englishman. If the England squad, whilst under the guidance of a foreign coach, were to win the major competitions then I feel this would take the shine off of the achievement as an English victory. There should be no place for prejudices in football, but the fact remains that an international match is one country against another, but with a foreign coach at the helm this is not the case. All the FA are doing is going for a big name, but in an attempt to save face, are in fact losing it and any remnants of confidence that people may have had in them.
Wayne Bodimeade, England

I think that the forthcoming appointment of a foreign coach to the England National Team merely reflects the sorry state of the English game at present. Eriksson will do a good job, has everything that Keegan so obviously lacked. England needs a good manager, wherever he might be from, not just another home-grown disappointment. Qualifying (and hopefully winning) major tournaments is all that matters.
Paul Baker, Australia/ UK

Hopefully Mr Eriksson's appointment will help to broaden the minds of some of England's jingoistic fans and help curb the 'bulldog' image that has given England such a bad reputation abroad and help fans realise that being European isn't such a bad thing.
Ian Lawton, Australia (ex-England)

To manage a national team, it is important to have international experience. There are few, if any Englishmen with sufficient experience to successfully manage the England side. One only has to look at the poor record of Graham Taylor to get an illustration of this point. If Mr. Eriksson becomes the next manager, I can only wish him well. Hopefully, as a Swedish national, he will be able to distance himself emotionally from the ludicrous pressure exerted by the British press.
Peter Fallon, U.S.A.

If Mr. Eriksson becomes the next manager, I can only wish him well.

  Peter Fallon, U.S.A.

I think it's inappropriate to pick a foreigner as England coach, especially when so many people agree Terry Venables should be coach. The FA has sold out when they should have put the past behind them and chosen Mr Venables. Even if Mr Eriksson is successful I cannot ever support his appointment. I urge the FA that they forget their past disagreements and pick Mr Venables
Nick Keynes, Australia (ex England)

He's surely a great tactician, but it'll take him time to set up the team just like it took him time to clinch the Serie A for Lazio. So he'll need plenty of breathing room.
Youssef Chaker, Canada

As a long-standing supporter of the England Team, I think that the job should be given to an Englishman. It is unbelievable that the FA can not find an Englishman able to put things right as far the England Team is concerned. Of course Eriksson is a good coach, but he will be unable to restructure, by himself, all that is wrong with the England Team. He will need support. Continuity is the word. Isn't there anyone in England capable of doing it, providing he is given the support required? There must be. On the other hand, the FA must be aware that Eriksson has a tendency to quit if things turn out badly or are not going his way.
Miguel C. Vieira, Portugal

As a lifelong Arsenal supporter, I have very few doubts that Arsene Wenger is one of the best managers in the world today (and his record at Arsenal can support my claim). However, I am dumbfounded that the F.A. are even considering Mr. Wenger (as a non-Englishman), let alone Mr. Eriksson, to manage our National team. Are we really admitting that there is not an Englishman alive on this planet that the English F.A. consider worthy enough to take the reins of our National team? Is the F.A. really admitting that the Country that gave the world football has resigned itself to the fact that they have nobody good enough to manage our great Country's team? What a great tragedy that would be for England and English football. Gentlemen at Lancaster Gate - please engage your brains and your hearts before opening your pens and mouths.
Kevin Dearman, New Jersey, U.S.A.