Sven-Goran Eriksson: I Signed Deal to Manage Manchester United in 2002: Nightly Soccer Report

Surprising revelations are coming out of England tonight where Sven-Goran Eriksson has admitted in his new autobiography that he signed a deal in 2002 to manage Manchester United.

Sir Alex Ferguson had planned to retire in 2002, and Sven — according to his book — had signed on the dotted line to replace Ferguson. But when Fergie changed his mind, Eriksson continued managing the England national team until 2006.

Eriksson said in his book:

“I knew it would be tricky. I had a contract with England until the 2006 World Cup and I would be severely criticized if I broke that contract. But this was an opportunity to manage Manchester United.

“A contract was signed — I was United’s new manager.”

Here are tonight’s world soccer news headlines:

Premier League

• Sven-Goran Eriksson: I signed deal to manage Manchester United in 2002 — The Telegraph
• Joe Kinnear tried to sign midfielder that was already a Newcastle player — The Mirror
• Martin Jol not worried by Fulham form despite Man Utd loss — BBC Sport
• Andrea Dossena ‘deserved three red cards’ says Hull City boss Steve Bruce — The Mirror
• Italians are part of my Sunderland plans – Gus Poyet — Newcastle Chronicle
• Fans of Hull City say Friday’s meeting with the club’s owner was ‘constructive’ — Sky Sports
• Tottenham alerted as Corinthians confirm plan to sell Alexandre Pato — Metro
• Newcastle defender Paul Dummett pens new long-term contract at St James’ Park — The Mirror
• Sir Alex Ferguson tried to stop Wayne Rooney going to World Cup – claims Sven Goran Eriksson — The Mail
• Were Hillsborough statements of Nottingham Forest fans altered? New investigation launched — Mirror
• Vlad Chiriches reveals his prison break to Tottenham Hotspur — The Telegraph
• Huw Jenkins on Cardiff, colours and what makes Swansea special — The Observer
• Malky Mackay increasingly likely to leave as relationship with owner Vincent Tan worsens — The Mirror
• South Wales derby tactical analysis: Wales coach Osian Roberts looks at Cardiff City and Swansea City — Wales Online

Football League

• Blackburn Rovers report £36.5m loss after Premier League exit — BBC Sport

International soccer

• Joe Hart dropped: Roy Hodgson says Joe Hart is still England’s No.1 — The Mirror
• Craig Bellamy in line to be next Wales boss — The Mail

Ligue Un

• Fabrizio Ravanelli fired as Ajaccio head coach after home defeat — BBC Sport

The Nightly Soccer Report is tomorrow’s news today. It’s often tomorrow morning’s worldwide newspaper headlines that are published the night before. We do all the work for you, combing the Internet and aggregating the news for you. Read The Nightly Soccer Report on World Soccer Talk every night before bed, so you can stay on top of all the news that matters.