Mexico sack Eriksson after World Cup defeat

Former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson was sacked as Mexico national coach on Thursday following a disappointing 3-1 loss to Honduras in a World Cup qualifier.

Wednesday’s defeat was Mexico’s second loss in three matches in the final phase of qualifying in the region coming hot on the heels of a reverse to the United States sandwiched by a home success over Costa Rica at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City.

Eriksson had acknowledged before the Costa Rica encounter that he knew he was under pressure to deliver.

Three teams from the six-nation final phase of qualifying advance directly to the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa, with the fourth-placed team playing off for a berth against the fifth-placed team from South America.

But Mexico had already failed to be overly impressive in the first phase of qualifying which included, among other sub-standard showings, a loss to Jamaica.

Former England boss Eriksson took the reins last June on a reported seven-million dollar salary after parting company with Manchester City, legendary striker Hugo Sanchez having been sacked three months earlier.