Source: Telegraph
Portsmouth approach Mexico over SvenGoran Eriksson
Eriksson has emerged as the club's favoured replacement for Tony Adams, who was dismissed on Sunday, after senior first team players, canvassed for their opinion on the future manager, said that former Chelsea manager Avram Grant would not command the respect of the dressing room. [LNB]Grant had been thought of as front-runner for the vacancy, but senior team members who played under Eriksson at international level, thought to include David James and Peter Crouch, made a case for Swede's appointment. [LNB]Considering the club's financial dire straits, it was initially believed that Eriksson's salary demands would make the appointment unworkable, yet Alexandre Gaydamak, the club's owner, is desperate to bring in a manager capable of keeping the club in the top flight. To do so, he is willing to pay Eriksson £2m-a-year, plus a £1m bonus if Portsmouth escape relegation. [LNB]Portsmouth have as yet made no attempt to approach Eriksson, who is currently coach of the Mexican national side. [LNB]Mexico play the United States in their opening match of the final group stage of World Cup qualifying this evening, and Eriksson will be 'incommunicado' until then according to his agent Athole Still. However, with his position at Mexico in the balance, he would entertain any offer. [LNB]
