DUBAI: Sven-Goran Eriksson has turned down the offer of a return to football in Europe with TSV 1860 Munich to join Dubai-based club Al Nasr as technical director.

Eriksson, who has also been linked with Blackburn and the Ukraine national team. His decision was confirmed to local media by Al Nasr spokesperson Mohammed Mubarak after German club 1860 conceded defeat after boardroom wrangles.

Al Nasr, coached by former Italian goalkeeper Walter Zenga, are currently fifth in the UAE Pro League after finishing second the previous season. They are currently trying to qualify for the Asian Champions League.

Eriksson, who has just finished a temporary role as technical director of Thai club BEC Tero Sasana, is one of a number of European football managers to be lured to the Gulf in recent years.

Former Arsenal player and Leeds United coach David O’Leary coached UAE Al Ahli football club while Dutch legend Frank Rijkaard managed the Saudi Arabian national team for 18 months before he was fired last week.

Eriksson had a successful European career with IFK Gothenburg, Roma, Benfica, Fiorentina and Lazio and then guided England to the quarter-finals of three successive competitions – the 2002 and 2006 World Cups and 2004 European Championship. He was among guests in London last week at the launch of the Football Association’s 150th anniversary celebrations.

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