Pretoria - Swedish coach Sven-G"ran Eriksson is to take Ivory Coast to glory during the 2010 FIFA World Cup this winter in South Africa.
However, the man commonly known as Svennis is reported to be still negotiating his contract details with the Ivory Coast Football Federation.
Eriksson, 62, replaced 57-year-old Vahid Halilhodzic, whose job was clearly on the line after the Elephants' early exit at the Africa Nations Cup in Angola in January. As a result, he was fired four weeks ago.
He became a successful coach from 1978 to 2001, in the Swedish, Portuguese and Italian top football divisions, most notably with Italian club Lazio.
Eriksson also achieved several national league, domestic cup and two notable UEFA competition wins.
With his achievements, Eriksson is so far the only coach who has achieved the league-and-cup double in three different countries namely Sweden, Portugal and Italy.
He is also the one who improved England's FIFA World ranking from 17th place in January 2001 to the 5th place July 2006, while still England head coach.
He had a relatively long spell as England coach, leading the team for two World Cups and Euro 2004 in between.
Eriksson attained a good overall statistical record with England which earned him the Football Association's steady support, however, after disappointing performances it was announced that he would step down after the 2006 World Cup, which England subsequently exited at the quarter-final stage.
Drawn in Group G with Brazil, Portugal and Korea DPR, Ivory Coast qualified for the World Cup without a single defeat.
