Smith: Sven exit could lift England

Scotland manager Walter Smith believes the summer departure of Sven-Goran Eriksson will give the England manager an added impetus to end his tenure by winning the World Cup.

The Swede confirmed last night he was standing down after the finals in Germany in the wake of his indiscreet comments to a ‘fake sheikh’ Sunday newspaper journalist.

But even before those revelations and the shock announcement, Smith felt England had a glorious chance of lifting football’s biggest prize for the second time.

He told Sky Sports News: “After recent events and the way things have gone I wasn’t surprised by the news.

“Sven has been under more pressure than most international managers and you have to be hard as nails.

“So it is no surprise he has decided to call time on it.

“He’s been very successful since he has gone to England and, if it is necessary, that will give him another impetus for the World Cup.

“England are one of the favourites to win it.”

Smith, whose side failed to qualify for the World Cup finals, is convinced what has happened and the circus surrounding Eriksson will not affect the players in their attempts to win the World Cup.

The former Everton and Rangers boss added: “I don’t think it will have an enormous effect on the players.

“It is not a strange situation for an international team to be in. It is very different for a club side to be looking at the prospect of their manager not being there, four or five months down the line.

“But it wouldn’t be that great a problem for an international side. I’m sure all the England players will be looking forward to the World Cup.

“That will be the main thing for them. Once they get there, on that platform, for a player they can look upon it on a personal basis as much as anything else.

“Nothing has happened in the last few weeks and Sven’s decision won’t have a great influence on how the England players will approach the World Cup.”