WestHamFirm

hemelhammer · Thu Oct 26, 2006 6:35 pm Sven as manager denied by some athole.

Eriksson link to West Ham denied

Eriksson has been out of work since leaving England after the World Cup
Sven-Goran Eriksson's agent has denied the Swede is being lined up as the next West Ham boss after he met two men who are seen as key to a possible buy-out.
Eriksson dined with Eli Papoushado, who wants to finance Kia Joorabchian's bid, and agent Pini Zahavi in Israel.

But Eriksson's agent Athole Still told BBC Five Live: "It is absolute rubbish. West Ham was not even mentioned in the time they were together."

Eriksson is ready to return to work after leaving his England post in July.

Joorabchian is coming under pressure to announce whether he intends to pursue his takeover at Upton Park.

The Iranian-born businessman declared his interest in buying out West Ham in September but so far a bid has failed to materialise.

However, Joorabchian was seen as instrumental in bringing Argentine internationals Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano to the club this summer.

Joorabchin (right) brought Mascherano to Upton Park

He has also reportedly lined up financial backing from Israeli businessman Papoushado, who could supply a large share of the £100m he needs to try to acquire the club.

Papoushado met Zahavi and Eriksson at the weekend before going on to meet Joorabchian in London.

Zahavi, who set up a meeting between Roman Abramovich and Eriksson when the Russian took over at Chelsea, is understood to be coordinating Joorabchian's takeover plans.

It is purely coincidental that he was with someone, who may or may not be behind an offer for West Ham

Sven-Goran Eriksson's agent
Athole Still

However, Eriksson's agent Still insisted the meeting between Eriksson and Papoushado was a private matter.

"It is ridiculous to make these assertions," Still said. "Sven was in Israel at the personal invitation of Eli.

"It was a purely private visit to see Maccabi Haifa playing. It is purely coincidental that he was with someone, who may or may not be behind an offer for West Ham."

Although Still denied Eriksson is being lined up for a role at West Ham, Still said the former England manager is close to returning - although it is unlikely to be in the UK.

"Sven is very keen to get back into football," said Still.

"If a club had the financial muscle to get into the Champions League then a deal could be done."

West Ham boss Alan Pardew is facing increasing pressure after he saw his team slide to an eighth straight defeat on Tuesday - against Chesterfield in the Carling Cup.

Hammers chairman Terence Brown has publicly backed Pardew but is understood to be keen to end the uncertainty caused by the takeover speculation.

Icelandic businessman Eggert Magnusson has also launched a £75m takeover but West Ham have yet to respond to his bid.

Taken from bbc.co.uk

Peter Parka · Thu Oct 26, 2006 6:55 pm

As bad as we're playing right now, I'm not so desperate that I'd want Sven Gormless Erikson as manager! These rumours about him coming to Upton Park really piss me off! :x

hemelhammer · Thu Oct 26, 2006 7:06 pm

Sven gorgan ericksons claret and blue army, doesn't have the same ring to it does it. plus hes a pile of shit.

xBrixtonGalx · Thu Oct 26, 2006 7:52 pm

he would make us even worse stupid twat