Sven claims support of public

12 April 2012

Sven-Goran Eriksson believes England fans feel little animosity towards him despite his unsuccessful tenure and off-field problems.

Former boss Eriksson bowed out after last summer's World Cup in Germany where England, among the pre-tournament favourites, spectacularly underperformed before defeat by Portugal in the quarter-finals.

"I have always been able to do this job," he told Sunday Times Magazine. "I've never heard a bad word during six years of travelling around the country. Everyone has always been polite to me. Even after the defeat to Portugal."

He added: "If I land at Heathrow today people still want my autograph, which is nice, and a lot of them say 'Sven, you did a good job'.

"Before England, I had never been sacked in my life. I don't sit here pining about it, but I loved being a manager and I am still young enough to do the job.

"For the first few nights back in Sweden, I couldn't sleep and couldn't really stop thinking about what had happened. It wasn't like I was in a depression but it was a recurring thought.

"I couldn't talk about the World Cup and haven't spoken about it until now. We should have done better, I am absolutely convinced of that."

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