Ex-England manager Eriksson heads to Thailand for new job

Former England coach Sven Goran Eriksson’s latest football venture has taken him to Thailand, where he was presented as the new technical director for club BEC Tero Sasana on Monday — although it could turn out to be a short-term job. Eriksson was introduced at a news conference at the team’s Thephassadin Stadium in Bangkok, where he will work with Robert Procureur of Belgium, who remains the coach and general manager of BEC. However, the contract only runs through the current Thai league season — which ends in October. “I will be here for on a full-time basis until the end of the season,” Eriksson said. “I will be here as the adviser, technical director, I will follow the training, I will follow matches and give players advice and work together with Robert.” [caption id=“attachment_441983” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Eriksson will get his first chance to watch his new club on Wednesday. AP[/caption] Eriksson will get his first chance to watch his new club on Wednesday when it takes on defending league champion Buriram United in the country’s League Cup. “This is my first time working in Asia,” Eriksson said. “I’m looking forward to Wednesday’s match. I want to see how the players handle the game, especially their mentality. We will take it from there.” Only nine rounds remain in Thai league’s 2012 season, with BEC in fourth place. Club officials said it remained to be seen if the contract would be renewed for next year. “I’ve seen a few games of the Thai national team before,” Eriksson said. “The standard is getting better and better. There are many good teams here it will be a nice experience for me.” Procureur hoped Eriksson’s presence would raise the profile of Thai football. “We are on the right track and we try to be more professional. That’s why Eriksson is here. … This is not only good for BEC but Eriksson will make the Thai Premier League well known in the world, not only to help improve us but also to help improve Thailand. " Eriksson left second-tier English club Leicester last season, and has had stints coaching Manchester City, Mexico and Ivory Coast since leaving the England post in 2006. He dismissed a suggestion that his latest job could be seen as a step down in his career. “I don’t know what other people think but I look forward to this job,” Eriksson said. “What other people think is not important for me anymore.” AP