Erikkson Notts Job: 'Biggest Challenge of Life'

• The Guardian, Wednesday, July 22, 2009 4 PM

Sven-Goran Eriksson has insisted he joined fourth division Notts County for "the biggest football challenge in my life," not for money - and plans to take the club all the way to the Premier League. Eriksson, who has signed a five-year contract at Meadow Lane and will work alongside current manager Ian McParland and former England assistant Tord Grip, also revealed he would be moving to live in the Nottingham area.

The Swede, who guided England to World Cup quarterfinal exits in 2002 and 2006, said: "I always said I wanted to come back to the Premier League. I chose a little bit of a difficult way to do it I think. It will take a few years, but I think we will do it. I think it's the biggest football challenge of my life, trying to take Notts County back to the Premier League, but that's the target. The challenge is perhaps the most difficult football job I've had so far. But I am looking forward to it."

Despite being taken over by a Middle Eastern group, Munto Finance, Eriksson said the club would continue to be sensible with their money. "When this news [of his appointment] came out my phone was hot all the time," he said. "People all over the place are asking how much we can pay for players. You can't pay Premier League salaries to players in League Two. We all know that we have to be sensible."

 

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