Eriksson had enough of criticism
Johansson says Eriksson has had enough of the criticism
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Monday, 11, Sep 2006 09:11
Uefa president Lennart Johansson has claimed Sven-Goran Eriksson has had enough criticism over his role as England manager.
Eriksson's compatriot Johansson said the treatment of the former boss had been unacceptable and some of the comments made have hit Eriksson hard.
Johansson also admitted Eriksson had withdrawn as guest speaker at the Fifa international football symposium in Berlin because of the level of criticism as it was undermining his position within the game.
"He has had enough and he thinks that people have been saying how incompetent he is," Johansson said.
"He has his money and will still try to have his pride, instead of standing here in Berlin with nobody listening to him because he failed to bring the World Cup to England."
Eriksson was due to take to the stage with Italy's World Cup-winning coach Marcello Lippi and France's Raymond Domenech in Germany but has now turned down the invitation.
Media scrutiny and criticism punctuated the Swede's reign as England manager and ultimately led to his departure, after his infamous meeting with an undercover reporter disguised as a sheikh.
However, Johansson insisted Eriksson should not have had to endure that much attention and pressure from the English press.
"I don't defend him, and there are things he did he should have avoided," Johansson added.
"But I can understand that he had had enough."
Eriksson spent five years in charge of the national team, taking them to the quarter-finals in three major championships.