Sven-Goran Eriksson cannot explain Wayne Rooney’s failure with England at 2010 World Cup

WC 2010: Wayne Rooney – England – Slovenia (Getty Images)

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Sven-Goran Eriksson admits that he is unable to explain how Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney put in such poor performances at the World Cup last year.

The former England boss was in a good position to watch the striker, as he was managing the Ivory Coast national team during the tournament.

The former Everton marksman had just completed arguably his best season for the Red Devils, scoring 34 goals in all competitions at club level.

But South Africa proved to be a complete u-turn, as Rooney did not score a single goal during the campaign.

“To explain that you would need to have lived together with the team and seen the training and look at the ambient in the camp and things like that,” Eriksson told Yahoo!

And the 25-year-old carried that form into the current season, which has been far from ideal for the forward. But Eriksson has a fixed opinion of the hitman.

“Rooney is one of the best footballers in the world, he has been for years now,” he said. “He is extremely important for England and Manchester United. Sometimes we forget he is still young and has many years to play. He is a top player.”

Eriksson managed England between 2001 and 2006, which saw him take the Three Lions to the quarter-finals of the 2002 World Cup – when they lost to Brazil, who in turn went on to win the tournament.

Four years later, the Three Lions went out on penalties to Portugal after drawing 0-0 against Luiz Felipe Scolari’s men in the quarter-finals.

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When quizzed as to whether he views his years in charge of the national team as a successful period, Eriksson said: “I don’t know. Success is to win a big tournament, that’s the dream of everyone in England. We did not win a big tournament.

“But I don’t think it was that bad. Success is to win a tournament. During my time in 2006 we should have done better than the quarter final. We should have got to the semi-final or final or even won it.”

After his stint as the manager of the national team, the Swede tried his hand at club management again with Manchester City.

Having seen how much the Eastlands outfit have progressed, he believes that he should have been at the helm now rather than then.

“I came to Manchester City two or three years too early. I should have come with the other owners, that would have been great, but that’s it,” said Eriksson.

And having witnessed the spending power of the club and the signings they have made, the former boss believes that City could end the season with some silverware to show for the investment made into the squad.

He said: “Well if they continue spending and buying like they have been, sooner or later they will win, and go on to win the premier league and also a trophy in Europe. Maybe this year.”

However, Eriksson is adamant that money alone will not guarantee success, but admitted that it does play an integral part in winning trophies.

He said: “Money is not enough if you are thinking about short term. I don’t think you can buy a team and in one or two years make it the biggest team in the world. You need more time.

“Money is necessary. You will not win the Premier League or Champions League today without money. It is impossible unfortunately.”