Eriksson’s Regret: ‘I was like a king at Lazio’

Former Lazio coach, Sven-Goran Eriksson has opened up about his departure from the Italian club in an interview with Swedish broadcaster P1.

Eriksson led Lazio to their second and most recent Serie A title in the 1999-2000 season before his exit. “It was a fantastic life in Italy. I had a lot of fun. But one day I received a phone call from England and I made my decision”, Eriksson mentioned during the broadcast.

The Swedish manager also shared his internal struggles during the decision-making process. He was, at the time, heralded in Italy and contemplated whether that was something he should give up. He said, “I asked myself if it was the right choice. Perhaps I should have stayed at Lazio where I was celebrated like a king”.

These comments give insight to Eriksson’s career and the choices he made, and it’s apparent that his time at Lazio still means a lot to him to this day. They also highlight the dichotomy football managers often face between success, adoration from fans, and personal ambitions.