SVEN GORAN ERIKSSON has warned Alex Ferguson: IÂ’m coming to get you.
Former England boss Eriksson, 59, issued his challenge after signing a three-year £9million contract with Manchester City.The pair often clashed when Eriksson claimed Fergie’s Manchester United players for international duty.
Eriksson said: “It is good to have that challenge. I am glad. Let us work for the very top.
“It will not happen in the first year but that is where we want to aim. I am here and I do not think I will fail. I have no doubts about that.
“I’m sure we will see Manchester City near the top of the table.”
Eriksson said he had not yet received a good-luck message from Ferguson. But he admitted there would be one reason why Fergie would no longer be a thorn in his side.
Eriksson said: “I will not take any players from him as I have done in the past!”
The pairÂ’s biggest clash came last summer when Eriksson insisted on taking Wayne Rooney to the World Cup as he battled back from a broken metatarsal.
The arrival of Eriksson was clinched yesterday when Thaksin Shinawatra reached the 75 per cent he needed to take over the club. His new boss will have £50m to spend on players.
Eriksson is still looking for an assistant after talks with Swedish national team No 2 Roland Andersson broke down.
But ErikssonÂ’s long-time right-hand man Tord Grip will be joining next week.
City keeper Andreas Isaksson — a fellow Swede — hailed his new boss’s courage in taking over a Premier League club despite the criticism he received over England’s World Cup failure.
Isaksson said: “It takes some b***s for Sven to get back to England. That shows everyone how brave he is and full of courage. I am glad he is taking over.”
CITY SLICKERS IN A TWIST ... Man City unveil a certain Mr Sven Goran 'Erikkson'SVEN will they ever learn? Officials at Manchester City were left red-faced yesterday as they unveiled their brand new manager at a special Press conference.
Everything was in place — the new boss, the reporters, the photographers, the TV crews . . .
And the official place card, naming a certain Mr Sven Goran ‘Erikkson’. Surely the boys at Eastlands owe him a correctly-spelled name plate, especially considering all he did for England. Although, come to think of it . . .
