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Eriksson gets Mexico nod

03/06/2008

Mexico have announced Sven-Goran Eriksson as their new manager, just one day after he was sacked by Manchester City.

Eriksson, whose long goodbye with City was finally ended yesterday, had been linked with the Mexico job when rumours of his sacking first emerged.

He replaces Hugo Sanchez, who himself had his contract terminated after failing to guide the team to the Beijing Olympics, a competition valued highly by non-European nations.

Mexico selection committee member Jorge Vergara confirmed former England manager Eriksson had received support from all 18 managers of the country's first division.

"The decision of the club directors was unanimous," he said.

Eriksson has been tasked with leading the Central American nation to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, where he could be drawn against England if Fabio Capello's team qualify.

The Swede, speaking in Spanish, said: "I want to thank the Mexican Football Federation for their confidence and support.

"Our goal is the 2010 World Cup and to try to do it better than in the past."

The second-leg of a World Cup pre-qualifier against Belize will be Eriksson's first game in charge.

During a five-year spell in charge of the Three Lions Eriksson took England to three successive quarter-finals in two World Cups and one European Championship.

Prior to tonight's announcement he had also been strongly linked with taking over at Chelsea following Avram Grant's sacking last month.