Wigan chairman Dave Whelan has callled for England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson to be sacked, and suggested by Latics boss Paul Jewell and Manchester City’s Stuart Pearce as possible alternatives to the Swede.
Whelan’s call comes after Eriksson’s remarks to an undercover tabloid reporter.
He told the Manchester Evening News: “It’s gross misconduct, he’s got to go, if it was up to me I’d say goodbye.
“My automatic choice would be Paul and Stuart, the nation would get behind them and back them to the hilt.”He’s broken one of the game’s golden rules. It’s gross misconduct and he has to go.
“I’ve criticised him in the past but there should be no way back from this, this is an absolute scandal, a disgrace.
“You simply do not expect the England manager to openly discuss his future plans and to air his views about what he thinks about players in his squad.
“He has lost the confidence of the nation due to his actions. The whole thing is absolutely scandalous.
“The country and every football fan must feel sick about this whole issue. I know I certainly do, especially with the World Cup in Germany only months away.
“The FA, however, is not as strong as it should be in these kind of issues.”
Meanwhile the League Managers’ Association has called for an end to the saga.
An LMA statement said: “We wish to reiterate our total support and backing for England in this year’s World Cup.
“Our managers will continue to give Sven and the FA their complete support and backing.”
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