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| Eriksson is rarely short of work [GALLO/GETTY] |
Sven-Goran Eriksson has pulled off a surprise move after being appointed director of football at the world's oldest football club – currently languishing in the English fourth division.
The former England coach will take the reins at Notts County on Wednesday following his departure from the Mexico post earlier this year his short-lived reign at Manchester City the season before.
The League Two club – who have new Middle East owners – confirmed that the Swede had joined with immediate effect along with his former England assistant Tord Grip.
Before beginning a five-year reign as England's first foreign national coach, Eriksson coached Roma and Sampdoria and won the Scudetto with Lazio in 2000.
'Unique opportunity'
"I am particularly attracted to this role and the unique opportunity to help build a club over the longer-term," Eriksson said.
"I started my football management career at a small lower division Swedish club and we managed to get them into the top flight.
"I can think of no better challenge than to attempt to do that again, but this time with the world's oldest football club, where we can add to a proud tradition and hopefully bring some richly deserved success."
Eriksson, 61, will be responsible for all aspects of developing the club on the pitch including training facilities, youth development and transfer negotiations.
Ian McParland remains the slightly-less-glamorous manager of the side.
Eriksson commanded a huge salary during his reign as England manager between 2001 and 2006, the highlight of which was reaching the quarter-finals of two World Cups and one European Championship.
County said Eriksson's salary would be performance-based.
Middle East bosses
The appointment of Eriksson underlines the ambition of County's new owners, the Middle East group Munto Finance.
However, for one of the games's most successful coaches to return at a club that spent last season scratching around in the lower regions of England's basement, is still a huge surprise.
Notts County, formed in 1862 and founder members of the League in 1888, have not been in the top flight of English football since 1992.
They finished a lowly 19th in League Two last season.
Despite their long history, the Meadow Lane club have lived in the shadow of more illustrious city neighbours Nottingham Forest, the former European Cup winners.
County's one major honour was winning the FA Cup in 1894. Their black and white stripes were also the inspiration for the kit of Italian giants Juventus.
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