Sven-Goran Eriksson, new Mexico coach

[TheGift]

June 3 (Reuters) - Factbox on Sven-Goran Eriksson, who was named as the new coach of Mexico on Tuesday:

Born Feb. 5, 1948 in Torsby, Sweden

* After a knee injury brings an undistinguished playing career with Swedish second division Karlskoga to an end in 1975, Eriksson begins coaching career with Swedish third division Degerfors, guiding them to the top flight in three years.

* Joins IFK Gothenburg in 1979 and leads them to a Swedish championship, two domestic cups and the 1982 UEFA Cup in three seasons before the first of two spells in Portugal, where he guided Benfica to two championships and a domestic cup.

* Arrives in Italy for the first time in 1984, taking over at AS Roma, whom he led to the 1986 Italian Cup. After failing to land a championship, Eriksson leaves Roma for Fiorentina in 1987, where he spent two trophyless seasons.

* Returns to Benfica in 1989 and guides them to the 1990 European Cup final, which they lose to AC Milan, before winning the Portuguese title in 1991.

* Begins his second spell in Italy the following season as coach of Sampdoria, guiding them to the Italian Cup in 1994.

* Takes over at Lazio and wins the Italian Cup once more in 1998 but his team lose to Inter Milan in the UEFA Cup final in the same season. Lifts the last European Cup Winners’ Cup a season later before finally winning the “scudetto” as part of a league and cup double in 2000. It was only Lazio’s second league title.

* Confirmed as the first foreigner to coach England in October 2000, taking effective charge the following February for a 3-0 friendly win over Spain. Under Eriksson, England qualify for two World Cups and a European Championship but are eliminated at the quarter-final stage on each occasion.

* Six months prior to the 2006 World Cup in Germany, the FA announce that Eriksson will leave his post after the tournament in the wake of a British tabloid quoting him as saying he was prepared to dump England and take over at Aston Villa.

* Spends a year out of the game—while being paid by the FA—before being appointed Manchester City boss in July, 2007 replacing Stuart Pearce.

* After making a rash of signings backed by new owner, Thai billionaire Thaksin Shinawatra, City make a sensational start to the season, winning their first three games, including a 1-0 victory over Manchester United, to top the table.

* City’s second half of the season is patchy and in the week Benfica confirm they have spoken to Eriksson about a return to Portugal, City are hammered 8-1 by Middlesbrough on the final day of the season. He leaves by mutual consent on June 2.

* One day later Eriksson is named national coach of Mexico.

Sven-Goran Eriksson, new Mexico coach - World Soccer - Yahoo! Sports