Is Sven leaving England to coach Mexico?

Rumors have swirled that Swede Sven-Goran Eriksson will be the next coach of the Mexican national soccer team. The speculation grew even more yesterday after the head of Mexico's soccer federation- Justino Compean- claimed that Eriksson will leave his post at Manchester City F.C. to go to Mexico.

Eriksson’s agent rejected the rumors and Compean’s claim:

Eriksson's agent in London, Athole Still, denied any negotiations between sides have occurred.

"No confirmation whatsoever. There has been no official contact whatsoever," Still said. "Mr. Eriksson is a contracted employee of Manchester City Football Club. He has not proactively looked for other employment, nor have I.

"It's all just rumors. Until there is official negotiation or discussion, it's all just hot air."

Mexico has been searching for a permanent coach since Hugo Sanchez was sacked nearly two months ago when the country’s team surprisingly failed to qualify for the Olympics.

Sources- The Latin Americanist, International Herald Tribune, Canadian Press, CNN

Image- Sky Sports

Hugo fired from job

No, the “Hugo” in question is not Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez but instead it’s Hugo Sanchez. The man who was arguably Mexico’s greatest futbolista was fired as head coach of the Mexican men’s soccer team. “El Tri’s” highest point under Sanchez was getting a third-place finish in last year’s Copa America. However a series of disappointing results led to Sanchez’ undoing including not winning against arch-rivals the U.S. and failing to qualify to the Olympics.

With 2010 World Cup qualifying matches coming soon, the Mexican federation committee felt that Sanchez needed to go ASAP:

Sanchez’s failure to do more with the talent he had, and his inability to best arch rival the United States, led to his dismissal.

“We want leaders; we cannot accept another failure, another Olympic failure,” said Justino Compeán, the Mexican federation president. “If that was difficult, could you imagine if Mexico didn’t make it to South Africa?”

Somewhere out there Ricardo LaVolpe is laughing himself silly.

Sources- Reuters UK, The Latin Americanist, SI.com, Goal

Image- New York Times

News briefs: Soccer

* Mexico’s under-23 team will not make it to the Olympics this summer after shockingly being eliminated in the group stage of the qualifying tournament held in the U.S. The loss has lead to increased calls for coach Hugo Sanchez to be fired.

* Meanwhile, Cuba lost their final two group qualifying matches and were our of contention after seven of their players defected last week.

* “FIFA are messing with the passion of the people,” declared Argentine soccer legend Diego Maradona in response to the proposed ban in playing games at high altitudes.

* Argentine police are offering “a sizable reward” for information relating to the death of a fan before Saturday’s Velez Sarsfield-San Lorenzo match.

* After this weekend’s slate of matches in South America, there are surprise leaders in several countries: La Equidad (along with Santa Fe) in Colombia, River Plate in Uruguay, and Guaratingueta in Brazil’s Paulista state championship.

* Lastly, footage of the U.S. “streaker” during this weekend’s U.S.-Honduras U-23 game. (Link not safe for work!)

Sources- AFP, Reuters UK, The Latin Americanist, Los Angeles Times, International Herald Tribune, ESPN Soccernet, The Offside

Image- FC Dallas (“Members of the Mexico Olympic Qualifying team react to falling short of the next round on goal differential. (AP)”)