Sven Goran Eriksson

By The Black Cats
April 8 2009

It has been reported in the media that Sven-Goran Eriksson will slash his wage demands if Sunderland dispense with the services of Manager Ricky Sbragia this summer.

Eriksson, who was sacked from his position as an International manager in Mexico last week, has said that he is desperate to return to Premier League management, and has identified Sunderland and Portsmouth as the two clubs likeliest to offer him a route back in to English football.

The ex-England manager was considered as a possible successor to Roy Keane last December, only for his high wage demands to cause Quinn to look elsewhere, resulting in an internal promotion of Ricky Sbragia from first team coach to manager.

Eriksson was earning around £2m-a-year from the Mexican Football Association, and while Quinn is was keen to talk to one of the most successful England managers of all time.

Ricky Sbragia’s position as manager will be reviewed this summer, and with the form his side are in, not to mention the position... just one place above the relegation zone could mean that Sbragia is relieved of his post.

Sunderland face Man Utd this weekend in what most people would say is a 'not a chance' game. This leaves the Black Cats with a problem, as they need all the points they can get.

“I don’t think you are ever secure as a manager, no matter what support you’ve got,” said Sbragia after suffering defeat at West Ham last weekend.

“I knew when I took the job on what was expected - I have to keep the club up, it’s as simple as that.

“If I don’t achieve that, I don’t know what’s going to happen.

“I don’t think any manager in my position, in charge of a club down there at the wrong end of the table, is safe. That’s just part of football.”

However Eriksson has told a number of people that he is not interested in a Championship position if Sunderland fail to avoid the drop this season.

But if the Black Cats are still a top-flight club at the end of May, the ex-Manchester City manager will be interested in a move to the Stadium of Light.

“I personally never wanted him to take the Mexico job,” said Eriksson’s agent, Athole Still. “But I would think there would be plenty of offers for him and he would love to work in England again. I know that for a fact.

“I would say yes, his first choice would be a good Premier League club in England where he has a challenge.

That would be his choice, I’m quite sure.”