Silly Sven-Goran Eriksson has only gone and done a Pele

If you're gonna make a bold statement, make sure nobody is listening.

Sure, if it comes off you're going to look really smart. But if it doesn't... If it doesn't you'll end up pulling a Pele. And nobody wants to do that. The Brazilian was one of the greatest footballers ever born but one of the lousiest predictors ever born. His highlights include predicting Nicky Barnby would be one of the greats, Cololmbia would win the 1994 World Cup, Brazil wouldn't get beyond group stages of 2002 World Cup and, most infamously, an African nation would win the World Cup by the year 2000. Well, Shanghai SIPG coach Sven-Goran Eriksson could be joining Pele in the hostage of fortune bunker after Monday's prediction that China (unlike Brazil, sure to qualify from 2002 World Cup group - Pele) will win the World Cup in the next 20 years. "This season it's gone crazy, totally crazy," Eriksson is quoted as saying by the BBC.

"The president of the country is pushing for football. And if the government push for something in China things will happen." "Why not? Not the next World Cup. It will take 15, 20 years at least."

Is Sven the man to take them there? 68 now, the Swede will be 86 at the 2034 World Cup. If they're paying, Sven could be managing.