China can challenge for World Cup glory by 2026, says former England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson
Shanghai SIPG manager believes China, buoyed by the power and influence of president Xi Jinping, can push for World Cup glory in a decade
Shanghai SIPG boss Sven-Goran Eriksson believes China, buoyed by the power and influence of president Xi Jinping, can put aside years of failure at international level and push for World Cup glory in a decade.
Ten years ahead, 15 years ahead, I am quite sure that the China national team will compete to win the World Cup
The Swede’s club has, like many Chinese Super League sides, invested heavily of late in new players and facilities after football fan Xi demanded soccer officials improve on just one disappointing group stage exit at the 2002 World Cup.
China are in danger of an early exit from 2018 World Cup qualifying in Asia but Eriksson, who managed the Ivory Coast at the 2010 tournament in South Africa, said the Asians would quickly see the returns on their multi-million dollar investment.
“The future for China is great.”
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The much-travelled 68-year-old coach made his managerial name after winning titles in Portugal with Benfica and Lazio in Italy before taking over as England coach and later Manchester City.