There probably isn’t a Liverpool supporter who hasn’t sat in the crowd at Anfield and dreamed about taking charge of the team.
Not all of them, though, would go on to become one of the most famous managers of his generation and, in assuming the head coach role of the England national team, take on what many have long dubbed football’s impossible job.
Such was the case for Sven-Goran Eriksson, the first overseas boss to take on the England role and subsequently become one of the most recognisable figures in the country.
And his long-standing popularity has been reflected by the outpouring of affection for the Swede after he revealed he believes he has at most a year to live after being diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer.
Not least among Liverpool followers, who have long been aware of Eriksson’s affinity for a club he occasionally travelled from Sweden to watch with his father during his younger years.
“My father is still alive and is still a Liverpool supporter, and I’m a Liverpool supporter as well – I’ve always been,” Eriksson told Sky News this week. “So I always wished to be the manager of Liverpool, and that will not happen for sure, but I’m still a Liverpool fan.”
While Jurgen Klopp isn’t planning on vacating the Anfield hotseat any time soon, the ECHO has joined the calls for Eriksson to be given the opportunity to have his wish granted.
Responding to the story on social media, former Liverpool midfielder Luis Garcia suggested there was still a chance with the Liverpool Legends playing a home game against Ajax this March in support of the LFC Foundation. Usually, former Reds favourites are involved on the coaching side. There’s nothing to stop that being circumnavigated a little this time around.
It was a theme picked up on by many Reds supporters, who echoed the sentiment. And on Saturday, Liverpool great Robbie Fowler indicated the call has already gone in with the organisers regards reaching out to Eriksson with a potential offer.
Eriksson has, of course, managed at Anfield before, in the opposing dugout with Benfica in a European Cup quarter-final clash in 1984 – Liverpool triumphed 1-0 before winning the return game 4-1 – and in charge of Manchester City when they were beaten 1-0 in May 2008.
And his first competitive game as England boss was in the home dugout at Anfield in March 2001 when goals from Michael Owen and David Beckham earned the Three Lions a 2-1 World Cup qualifying win over Finland. There were further visits as England manager for the friendly wins over Paraguay in April 2002 and Uruguay four years later.
Speaking at the weekend, Eriksson suggested he was planning to visit the country in March to attend England’s glamour friendly against Brazil at Wembley, which takes place on the same day as the Legends match at Anfield. The lure of finally taking charge of a Liverpool team, however, would surely be strong if it were offered.
Eriksson may never have had the chance to become a Liverpool legend, but few would argue against his place among the managerial greats. And the sight of a boyhood Reds supporter finally realising his dream by taking charge of a Liverpool team at Anfield would afford him a unique place in Kop folklore – and be a magnificent gesture from the club towards one of their most famous fans.
