Sven-Goran Eriksson's book can help England manager Roy Hodgson's project in countdown to World Cup finals For the football fraternity, there is the revelation that five years" involvement with England has left Eriksson requiring a daily dose of blood-thinning tablets and a painful understanding that a national team manager has so little time with players that he can use them only in their club positions. This is why Eriksson still regrets using David Beckham as quarterback and Wayne Rooney on the left in his one qualifying defeat, at Windsor Park, in 2005. Appointed in 2001, Eriksson soon appreciated the FA blazer was a straitjacket. The number of injuries suffered by England players in the spring before tournaments (Beckham in 2002, Rooney in 2006) and during tournaments (Rooney in 2004, Michael Owen in 2006) could not simply be a pure, bad accident. "I fought to introduce a winter break in the Premier League but it was like banging your head against the wall," Eriksson writes. He hosted a summit meeting of Premier League managers on the need for a brief January hibernation to allow players to recharge batteries. The intelligent ones, like Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsène Wenger, concurred. The broadcast-fixated Premier League hated it. So Eriksson went to Fifa, pleading for them to order all domestic leagues to stop one month before the 2006 World Cup. Fifa agreed. Eriksson was then reminded of the craven servitude of his employers. The FA, under pressure from the Premier League, requested a special exemption. The request was signed by the FA's then chairman, Geoff Thompson. "What the hell is this?" demanded Eriksson, "storming" into Thompson's office. Thompson fidgeted in his seat. "It was clear that the Premier League controlled English football,"" concludes Eriksson. Fact. Greg Dyke, the current FA chairman, can rustle up as many worthy commissions as he wants but they are meaningless until he confronts Premier League self-interest. Plenty of good people can be found at the FA, and Eriksson makes a point of praising the "logistical genius" of Michelle Farrar, the administrative force behind the national team. He also salutes the England fans, who travel in considerable numbers, reflecting a love for football "unrivalled" in the world. Eriksson also believes the Wags have a place at tournaments, as he knows how bored players get. There's a balance. It is disruptive to the team for certain Wags to dance on tables as in Baden Baden in 2006. It is also helpful for families to spend time together the day after games as Hodgson allows. One of the most eye-catching details is the behaviour of Steve McClaren. This was a man the FA bizarrely installed as Eriksson's successor on the eve of Baden Baden. Eriksson even debated removing McClaren from his coaching staff for the tournament. "He was self-assured, bordering on arrogant, but a very good coach, especially defensively."" Eriksson's mood was less gracious when McClaren sought to ingratiate himself with the players after England went out in 2006, one of the dressing-room pearls in the book. Steve McClaren thanked me, and added that I would be invited as an honorary guest when England played the Euro final in 2008. As if he would be able to do what I had not been able to."" England failed even to reach 2008 under McClaren. The book is rich in useful material for Hodgson. He hardly needs reminding but clubs can be reluctant to release players. Ferguson would rant down the phone at Eriksson at 7am. Jose Mourinho, to his great credit, would never stand in Chelsea players" way. Hodgson also hardly needs reminding, given recent "monkeygate" headlines, but the press man-marks the England manager. "The media wrote about morals and passion for the cause while at the same time using all their resources to nail the manager of the nation's football team,"" argues Eriksson, who believes intrusion into Big Phil Scolari's domestic set-up guaranteed the Brazilian rejecting FA overtures in 2006. Eriksson could never understand this interest in private lives. When the squad gathered in Dubai for training before the 2002 World Cup, Eriksson apologised to the players because of the fuss caused by his relationship with Ulrika Jonsson. "Welcome to England!"" said Robbie Fowler. When Eriksson was caught telling the Fake Sheikh that Rio Ferdinand was "lazy," the defender laughed: "Sven, I know I'm lazy. Don't worry about it."" England's players come out of Eriksson's book well. The media do not. When referee Urs Meier was vilified in the English newspapers for disallowing a goal at Euro 2004, Eriksson phoned to "apologise on behalf of the England team." People make mistakes. Players make mistakes. Eriksson is at his most rueful when reflecting on the loss to Brazil in Shizuoka, recording a collection of "what ifs," including: "If Beckham had not pulled out of a tackle, Scholes lost the ball, Mills found himself out of position, Cole been exposed by a bit of Ronaldinho magic, before Rivaldo equalised?"" He notes David Seaman's poor positioning over Ronaldinho's winning free-kick. England succumbed to a familiar shoot-out curse at Euro 2004 and Germany 2006. Eriksson made players practise penalties but "knew it did not matter much" because "in the heat of the moment it would all come down to individual nerves. I should have brought in a coach to help the players prepare mentally for penalties."" Take note, Hodgson. Sven: My Story, by Sven-Goran Eriksson (Headline, £20).