Sven-Goran Eriksson has revealed that he nearly became Liverpool manager.
Eriksson will realise a lifelong ambition by taking charge of his lifelong club in Saturday’s LFC Foundation match between the club’s Legends side and Ajax.
A sell-out crowd is set to be in attendance at Anfield as the Swede coaches a stellar cast of former players including one-time England ally Steven Gerrard.
But Eriksson admitted that he was previously in the running for the Reds’ hot seat and held discussions about taking the reins in an unspecified period.
He said: “When I was manager, I always dreamt about Liverpool but it never happened.
“It was close once. There were some discussions once. It was many years ago. It never happened but now it happens.
“When they asked [for the legends game], I thought it was a joke. I said, ‘Of course I will come to that.’
“It’s a charity game, which makes it even more lovely. It will be great to see.
“I think it must be the best atmosphere in the world in all the football stadiums I’ve been to.
“Part of that is the song when the players come out, You’ll Never Walk Alone.
“That makes me like this [rubs arm] even today and I’ve seen it live so many times and on television. The atmosphere is incredible.”