Mexican move for Sven

FORMER England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson has been appointed the new head coach of Mexico.

Eriksson’s appointment was announced by the Mexican Football Federation president Justino Compean last night. The committee of the owners of the 18 top-flight teams unanimously approved the 60-year-old Swede as the successor to Hugo Sanchez, who was sacked in March for failing to guide the under-23 side to the Olympics.

Eriksson, speaking in Spanish, claimed he was excited by the challenge of helping Mexico reach the World Cup in South Africa.

He said: “Mexico is a big, big job. To help Mexico reach the World Cup is a big challenge. You (Mexicans) have 120 million people and it’s motivating.”

Eriksson will not officially take up his post until June 21, when Mexico host Belize Monterrey in the second leg of the second round of World Cup qualifiers. Until then Ramirez will remain in temporary charge for the matches against Argentina on June 4, Peru on June 8 and the first leg with Belize on June 15.

The Swede refused to talk about possible selections as long as Ramirez remained in temporary charge.

He said: “I don’t want to talk too much about players as I don’t think it is professional. There is another coach still working.”

Femexfut secretary general Decio de Maria added: “The rest of the technical staff will be Mexican and they will be announced in the upcoming three or four weeks.”

Eriksson left Manchester City earlier this week despite still having three years to run on his contract.

Meanwhile, Franck Ribery’s first-half penalty earned France a narrow 1-0 win over Ireland’s recent opponents Colombia at Stade de France in their final friendly before Euro 2008 last night.