Arrival of classy Swede is good indeed

But from another perspective, his coming, though for a short stay, could give the Thai domestic league a great deal of international publicity. In addition, his mere presence could boost the confidence of players at the BEC Tero Sasana football club, which appointed him early this month as its technical coach. Few managers in the world rival the credentials of the Swede in managing top-flight football clubs all over Europe, including England, and mentoring young talent. 

I had a chance to interview Eriksson, and he seemed a nice friendly guy. He was apparently not aware of our appointment but was willing to talk to us nonetheless.

Unlike other English football club managers, who throw a fit when the media asks them inconvenient questions, I saw no such signs of combustion or fury in Eriksson. My colleague and I fired several questions including ones about his personal life.

Eriksson neither denied nor accepted a report in the British media that he came to Thailand to look for Thai women.

“That’s British media. That’s how they are,” he replied. 

Eriksson obviously had bad experiences with the notorious British media when he was the England manager.

The Swede, who is staying in a hotel in Bangkok while attending to his new job, also denied that he owns a house on the tourist island Koh Samui, in Surat Thani province.

Asked whether he would buy a house here, he said, “Today, no. Tomorrow, maybe.”

This is the third time Eriksson has accepted a job involved with Thai people. The former manager of two Thai-owned clubs, Manchester City and Leicester City, he said Thai football was improving quickly.

“I have been here many years ago. Today there is a big difference. Football here is better. People talk and look at football more than in the past. So it’s good,” he said.

“I think technically Thais are as good as Europeans but physically maybe not. I think football in Asian countries will be very important for the future of world football. The most important thing is to play a lot and train a lot,” he said.

The 64-year-old Swede, who left England last October after failing to lift Leicester City into the English Premier League, ruled out suggestions he might retire soon.

“I will keep working till I die, I hope. I have no plans to retire. I’m too young,” he joked.

Asked whether he had chosen his destination after his retirement, he said: “I don’t know. We will see.”

Eriksson is the second top-flight football man in Thailand league. Robbie Fowler, the man that Liverpool fans on The Kop hail as ‘God’, made big headlines in local and international media when he signed a contract with the Thai Premier League’s Muang Thong United last July as their player coach.

Fowler left Thailand in February. Despite his club winning nothing last season, his coming at least helped raise the league’s profile and standards.

Eriksson did not rule out the possibility of extending his contract after the season ends next month.

“We’ll see. If I like it and if they like me – who knows? But we’re not discussing it at all,” the Swede said. 

It remains to be seen if Eriksson will spur a new beginning for Thai football. Football pundits said the performance of BEC Tero Sasana, currently fourth in the Thai league, has improved under Eriksson. And there was also a report that the Swede’s influence has attracted the Thai Football Association’s attention. Perhaps Eriksson may get an offer to help the national team. As he said who knows?