Lars Lagerback has said he does not think the Football Association will approach him when it looks to recruit Roy Hodgson’s successor. The 67-year-old has played England seven times – as Sweden and Iceland manager – and never lost.
His latest success, a 2-1 win in Nice on Monday, means Iceland qualified for the quarter-finals of Euro 2016, where they face France, whereas Hodgson resigned after yet another unsuccessful tournament for England.
This week the former Norway and Wimbledon manager Egil “Drillo” Olsen suggested that Lagerback would make a good England manager, but the Swede is not so sure. “No, I don’t think so,” he said on Wednesday. “Every time I look at myself in the mirror I realise that I should take it easier in the future.
“I hope that I can remain in football in some way but I don’t think I will take a job like that. It is very kind of Drillo, who I respect a lot, to say that but I don’t think I am in the picture. It is a real long shot.”
The reserved Lagerback, who led Sweden to five successive tournaments, is aware, however, that his Iceland team are being hailed around the world for their exploits in France.
“Of course I’ve noticed it,” he said. I have spoken to people at home and I’ve been online so I can see a bit of what is happening. It is very nice when people around you are positive but the important things are the things that are happening here right now.”
Lagerback added that he does not think that the players will be fazed going into the quarter-final at the Stade de France. “We had a team meeting yesterday where me and [joint coach] Heimir Hallgrimsson were playing devil’s advocate and trying to get the players back down to earth because whatever is happening around us we have to deal with it.”
