By James Desborough
SOURCE: - NEWS OF THE WORLD
It's too late for England's World Cup ambitions, but here is Sven Goran Eriksson finally delivering a rousing talk... to himself.
Sven's reign as our £5 million-a-year coach ended after defeat to Portugal last weekend, with criticism of his passionless approach still ringing in his ears.
But after returning home to Sweden, Sven showed more emotion in one afternoon of oddball behaviour than he ever did in six years as England boss.
Perhaps it was a touch of sunstroke, but the normally ice-cold character by turns pulled funny faces, looked puzzled, mumbled to himself, waved his arms and even sang quietly.
At one stage he held his head in his hands for nearly 30 seconds, clearly upset at something.
England's dismal failure in the tournament, perhaps?
Later he picked up a handful of pebbles at his £2 million lakeside retreat Bjorkefors, near Sunne, and began talking to them.
Another time, as he swigged from a glass, he gazed blankly — looking close to tears.
Nutcase
All the time, his only company was a scarecrow.
One onlooker said: "Sven was acting like a nutcase. He walked around talking to himself as if he was almost arguing with someone.
"Then he looked really upset and had his head in his hands for ages.
"It was quite disturbing, but got even more so when he picked up the pebbles and tried to talk to them.
"After watching Sven on TV with England I couldn't believe how animated he was. Perhaps if he'd shown his players that kind of emotion we might still be in the World Cup.
"Then again, he might have ended up in a mental hospital."
Girlfriend Nancy Dell'Olio, who is at their London home, is expected to join Sven in the next few days.
But for how long?
The feisty Italian, who stood by her man through his affairs with Ulrika Jonsson and Faria Alam, fears Sven will be able to dump her quietly now his England career is over.
Nancy had been heartbroken since returning from Germany, confiding in a pal: "I've cried every single day."
Another friend explained: "She's terrified that because Sven is now out of the public eye, he'll take the opportunity to get rid of her."
And it does seem like Sven is capable of keeping himself company...
Kingman
