Shanghai SIPG head coach Sven-Göran Eriksson is reportedly in a "precarious situation" with regard to staying as the team's manager next season after the club was eliminated in the quarterfinals of the AFC Champions League this term.

The Red Eagles were clobbered by K League Classic squad Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, 5-0, on Tuesday during the second leg of their ACL quarterfinals encounter at the Jeonju World Cup Stadium. SIPG managed to hold Jeonbuk to a goalless draw in the first leg at the Shanghai Stadium, but they were eventually eliminated after the humiliating defeat.

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ESPN reported that Eriksson is in a "precarious situation" at Shanghai because of the high-profile defeat and that he has to overcome it "for a longer stay in China".

The 68-year-old Swede mentor was confident before tackling Jeonbuk, saying that the team has a chance of reaching the semifinals of the tournament. However, the game resulted in "his worst defeat since taking over the team" as it was "supposed to be their biggest game of the season".

Chinese world record transfer signing Hulk was a non-factor while Elkeson, Dario Conca, and Jean Evrard Kouassi all missed the game and so it is back to the drawing board for Eriksson to try and qualify again next season.

"We knew that Jeonbuk were strong in attack, but we didn't defend the way we wanted to," said Eriksson after the match, as per the South China Morning Post.

"If we had scored first then the whole atmosphere of the game would have changed. Through this kind of experience, the players will learn and will refocus their efforts on appearing in the competition again," he said.

Eriksson admitted that his boys "collapsed mentally" after attacking midfielder Lu Wenjun was sent off at the 74th minute, which resulted in a barrage of goals for Jeonbuk. The hosts were already leading 2-0 at that time.

"After the red card in the second half, we collapsed mentally. Of course, we had already conceded, but after the dismissal we did not play the way we wanted to play," Eriksson added.

TagsChina Football, Chinese Super League, Chinese Super League rumors, Shanghai SIPG FC, sven goran eriksson