Sven-Goran Eriksson Fired by Shenzhen FC in the Most Bizarre Way

By Matthew Bossons, June 19, 2017

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Accomplished Swedish football coach Sven-Goran Eriksson was relieved of his duties with Shenzhen FC last week in the same way we imagine Charles Bukowski would have fired someone: a cheeky poem. 

The verse was published on the club’s official website, it reads:

"Eleven years ago, you led Shenzhen football and never let us down.

"Nine years ago, you took over responsibilities and saved Shenzhen football.

"Memories of fighting together have never gone away, and now we recall the legend.

"For Shenzhen, we are reunited, starting a new trip together.

"Coach Wang, welcome home."

As you can probably gather, former Shenzhen top-dog Wang Baoshan will be returning to fill the head coach slot.

Eriksson began his stint at the second division Shenzhen FC at the beginning of the season, moving south after parting ways with Shanghai SIPG, a team he started with back in 2015 and helped qualify for the Asian Champions League – a memorable first in the club’s history.

Prior to his time in Shanghai, Eriksson was the head coach for the Guangzhou R&F – his first posting in China after a successful career in Europe that saw him manage the English national team, Manchester City and Lazio. 

[Image via RTE]

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