There is a big, big surprise in the Philippines – less than two weeks before the AFF Suzuki Cup, the region’s premier football tournament kickoff.
 
Former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson, 70, is the new supremo of the Azkals and will also handle the team for the Asian Cup Finals next year.
 
Team manager Dan Palami announced this during the AFF Suzuki Cup trophy tour in Manila on Saturday (Oct 27).
 
Singapore’s Channel News Asia quoting Dan Palami said: “One of the most legendary coaches of all time Sven Goran Eriksson will be coaching the Azkals for the AFF Suzuki  Cup and the Asian Cup.
 
“I am sure he will be a great addition to the team and I am sure the players will learn a lot from him. He will be working together with our coach Scott Cooper, that is one of the moves that we have made to allow us to do better in this edition of the AFF Suzuki Cup.”
 
The Swede’s appointment came in the wake of former England captain Terry Butcher’s decision not to take the job two months ago. Butcher reportedly stepped down from the role without having led a training session.
 
Eriksson, the former England and Ivory Coast coach, has been out of work after he left Chinese second division side Shenzhen FC in mid-2017.
 
In the AFF Suzuki Cup, the Philippines are in Group B together with Indonesia, Singapore, five-time champions Thailand and Timor Leste.
 
In the Asian Cup Finals, the Azkals have South Korea, China, and Kyrgyzstan. The Asian meet will be held in the United Arab Emirates. – BY RIZAL ABDULLAH
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