FILED UNDER SOMETHINGISRAELI >> Sport
Sven Goran Eriksson
|
Former England manager Sven Goran Eriksson has spent a day in Israel as a guest of the Peres Center for Peace.
The millionaire Swede is in the Middle East as part of a project that aims to build bridges between Israelis and Palestinians.
"The Peres Peace Center is doing important work in promoting a message of peace through soccer for Israeli and Palestinian children," said Eriksson. "I am happy be a part of this message and proud to contribute the Center's activities."
He spoke of his admiration for Israeli football and its players: "Yossi Benayoun is a great and successful player, Maccabi Haifa is playing good soccer in UEFA Cup, and soccer here is on the rise."
Despite his positive views on Maccabi Haifa, Eriksson wouldn't comment on rumours that his is being lined up for a coaching job for the team, but he says there is a good future for Israeli football.
"Israeli soccer has improved a lot over the years and I am very impressed."