Former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson has turned down an offer to become the technical adviser of North Korea for next year’s World Cup, the Press Association reported yesterday.
Eriksson, Notts County’s director of football, “was approached by the North Korean FA but Press Association Sport understands he has decided against taking up the offer,” the British news agency said.
The report came after the Guardian and other leading dailies said the 61-year-old Swede, who twice led England in the tournament during his five years as national manager, was to meet North Korean soccer chiefs in Beijing later this week.
Eriksson was to travel with Notts County’s executive chairman, Peter Trembling.
However, Trembling denied the club had been approached.
“We wish to make it clear that Notts County have not received any approach nor had any discussions whatsoever with the North Korean FA in relation to Sven-Goran Eriksson becoming an interim manager of their national team,” Trembling said in a statement.
“It is correct that I am making a business trip to Asia but this is solely and exclusively on official Notts County business,” he said.
“I will be visiting Taiwan, China, Hong Kong and Thailand to discuss a range of Notts County initiatives linked to our 150th anniversary,” Trembling said.
The Guardian said Trembling had already been involved in talks with intermediaries representing the North’s football association about loaning Eriksson.
“The process is now advanced enough for Trembling and Eriksson to be travelling to Beijing later this week on an eight-day trip,” the paper said.
North Korea’s embassy in London suggested an announcement could be made in “two or three weeks,” it added.
Eriksson was seen as a candidate for the job of Sweden coach but his home federation were reportedly not interested.
Having endured 10 turbulent months as Mexico’s coach until April this year, he stunned the soccer world by joining lowly Notts County in the close season.
A total of just seven goals in eight qualifiers has earned criticism for North Korea coach Kim Jung-hun and his team despite finishing second behind neighbors South Korea in Asian qualifying group two to secure a World Cup place for the first time since 1966.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
Taiwan’s Lee Jhe-huei and Yang Po-hsuan on Saturday won the men’s doubles bronze medal at the Badminton Asia Championships in Ningbo, China, after they were bested by the hosts in their semi-final. The Taiwanese shuttlers lost to China’s Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang, who advanced to yesterday’s final against Malaysia’s Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzudin. The Chinese pair outplayed Lee and Yang in straight games. Although the Taiwanese got off to a slow start in the first game, they eventually tied it 14-14, before Liang and Wang went on to blow past them to win 21-17. In the second game, Lee and