Recent revelations about Sven’s ambivalence as to the source of the Notts County millions fits snugly with his attitude to life.

Sneaky Sven told the papers last week:

“No I haven’t met the people, I’ve only met representatives for the owners. But I’m sure that everything is all right. Money comes in and everything is good. Everything we are asking for, we get it. I don’t know where the money comes from and I think that’s the job of the chairman to find out. I’m not interested in that. The important thing is that the money comes.”

A friend of The Spoiler reminded us this week of the full time whistle in Shizuoka, just after Brazil had knocked out Sven’s England in the 2002 World Cup quarter finals. As the nation back home wailed in despair at a missed opportunity to face Turkey in the semis and then a timid Germany in the final, Sven was somewhat calmer. Placing one hand on the knee of assistant Steve McLaren and the other on Coach Les Reed’s lap, Sven pushed himself up from the dugout, shrugged and said, “Quarter Final. Losing to Brazil. I’ll take that. We can go home with our heads held high.”