Sven relishing new challenge
Former England boss targeting Premier League footballFormer England manager Sven Goran Eriksson has labelled his move to Notts County as the 'biggest' football challenge of his life.
The ex-Mexico and Manchester City boss has signed a five-year contract with the League Two club after joining as their new director of football.
While Eriksson, who spent just one season at Eastlands, was always keen to return to the Premier League, he concedes moving to Notts County is a difficult task.
However, that is not diminishing Eriksson's ambition as he believes the Magpies can be back playing top-flight football again within 10 years.
"It's great to come back to England," stated the Swede. "The weather is the same, as usual. The press is the same.
"I always said I wanted to come back to the Premier League. I've chosen the difficult way to do it. It takes some years, but speaking to Peter (Trembling) and the investors we'll do it.
"It's the biggest football challenge in my life trying to take Notts County to the Premier League. That's the target.
"That's why I'm here. It's the most difficult football job I've had so far. I'm looking forward to it and happy to be here.
"When [agent] Athole Still first asked me I said I'm not sure about that, but after listening to the people and seeing the project I became interested and here I am. It was quick. It was done within two weeks.
Challenge
"I feel fine. I'm looking forward to this new job and I'm sure we'll work very well together. As I've said the challenge is enormously big."
Eriksson was on a lucrative contract during his five-year spell with England and the 61-year-old has denied he is joining Notts County for financial reasons.
"I'm not here for money, I am here for the challenge," he continued.
"I'm not here for the weather, or if the city is nice or not. If that was the case then I could have gone to Italy. I'm here for the big challenge and that's the truth."
Eriksson has already held talks with manager Ian McParland, although he is not looking to muscle in on the Scot's job, stating he is only keen to learn more about the players at League Two level.
"We discussed players. I don't know the players here. I don't know the League Two players at all. I asked what we need to go further on. Among other things.
"I think to start with we have together to find good players. If we want to leave League Two we need good players. That's the first thing we need to do. Without good players you can't reach League One and the Championship."
When asked whether Eriksson's role as director of football means his career as a manager is over, he replied: "I hope not. I want to be in football for many years.
"You never know. I'm still hungry and love it. This job is a little bit new for me, but why not try that as well."
Notts County's new executive chairman Trembling has hailed Eriksson's capture as a 'coup' and says the job is vital for the club's progression.
Vast network
Trembling wants the Magpies to be promoted to the Championship in five years' time and believes Eriksson is perfectly suited to helping bring in the right type of player through his vast network of contacts.
"It's a great coup to introduce a new director football at this club," stated Trembling.
"A week ago I outlined plans for Munto Finance. The plans were all about taking the club to the next stage.
"For too long now the club have flirted with relegation and administration.
"Munto were attracted because of the heritage and the chance to take this club forward.
"To do that we need significant infrastructure. We need to bring the right players in to get into the Championship in five years.
"A director of football is a key position within this club. It's about the long term
"It's about bringing in someone in who knows the world game.
"Accordingly Mr Sven Goran Eriksson was perfectly suited for the role. We approached him via his people a few weeks ago.
"It's very ambitious for this club, but our ambition is unfounded. Our concentration is on steady progress throughout the leagues.
"Accordingly Sven does fit into that category. Sven's signed a five-year contract and he is an integral member for this football club from now on."
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