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Sven-Goran Eriksson named Philippines head coach

Sven-Goran Eriksson
Image: Sven-Goran Eriksson is the new Philippines national team head coach

Former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson has been appointed head coach of the Philippines national team.

The 70-year-old has signed a six-month deal which will see him take charge of the team at next month's Suzuki Cup and the finals of next year's Asian Cup.

Eriksson takes charge of the team two months after Terry Butcher stepped down from the role without having led a training session.

Sven-Goran Eriksson
Image: It will be Eriksson's 17th managerial job in a career which started in 1977

It is the Swede's first managerial job since leaving Chinese second division side Shenzhen FC in June 2017, having been recently linked with the head coach's role in both Iraq and Cameroon.

The former Ivory Coast coach, who won the Serie A title in 2000 during his time with Lazio, will work alongside Irishman Scott Cooper, who has been in charge of day-to-day affairs in the Philippines since Butcher stood down.

Philippines team manager Dan Palami said of Eriksson's appointment: "I'm sure he will be a great addition to the team and I'm sure the players will learn a lot from him.

Sven Goran Eriksson has turned down Iraq
Image: Eriksson 's last job was at Chinese side Shenzhen in 2017

"He will be working together with our coach, Scott Cooper. That's one of the moves that we have made to allow us to do better in this edition of the Suzuki Cup."

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The Philippines face Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand and East Timor in the regional tournament before playing at the Asian Cup finals for the first time in January.

They will meet South Korea, China and Kyrgyzstan at the tournament in the United Arab Emirates.

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