Eriksson assures England over future

Sven-Goran Eriksson said on Monday that he had no intention of resigning as England coach.

The Swede's future has been called into question by British media following the resignation last month of former chief executive and close ally Adam Crozier.

Eriksson had talks with the Football Association on Monday after learning that David Davies and Nic Coward had been appointed as Crozier's acting successors.

"I have read a lot (of speculation) recently," Eriksson told a news conference. "It is amazing how many jobs I could have got, but I have not said anything because I wanted to find out for myself what was going on (at the FA).

"It is very important to know who your boss is...I got decisions today and I'm happy with that. Everything is carrying on with my job as before."

Eriksson's private life has also come under scrutiny in recent weeks and critics wondered whether he would walk away from his high-pressure role, once dubbed "the impossible job".

He said: "My life would be different without it, but the day I can't stand you anymore I will tell you. That day has not come yet."

He conceded that it was a personal blow to see Crozier, who helped appoint him two years ago, leave the FA.

But he said he was happy with the pledges received from other members of English football's governing body, including chairmen of premier league clubs and insisted his attempts to lead England to the 2004 European championship would continue.

RUMOURS SCOTCHED

"I regret Adam went away because he created a good atmosphere for me," said Eriksson.

"But I was assured I have full support for everything I am trying to do with England. I talked to club chairmen and everything is okay.

"I want to take England to Euro 2004, that's a big target and then we want to do better than we did at this year's World Cup."

England, who were knocked out of the quarter-finals of the World Cup, are second behind Turkey in their Euro 2004 qualifying group.

Eriksson announced a 26-man squad on Monday for two days of national team training later this month, though no England match is scheduled until next year.

Davies insisted Eriksson could still look forward to a positive relationship with club chairmen.

"We are thrilled with the answers we at the FA have been able to given Sven," Davies said of the FA's stance.

"We have an outstanding coach and we have been determined as quickly as possible to reassure him.

"Of course, you have concerns when people here link him with every job going.

CLUBS' PLEDGE

"But within 15 minutes of the end of our meeting today, the premier league chairmen shared talks with Sven and Tord (Grip, assistant coach).

"The FA will work closely with the clubs -- they gave us guarantees of support for all of our matches in future."

Davies and Coward were named Crozier's acting replacements at a meeting of the FA's executive board on Monday, led by FA chairman Geoff Thompson.

The FA said they would be appointing a headhunter to find a long-term successor to Crozier, who quit after clashing with premier league clubs over the running of the game and commercial deals surrounding the England national team.

The FA also said that discussion over the emergence of a premier league-inspired Professional Game Board, which was resisted by Crozier, would continue over the next few weeks.

Coward joined the FA in 1996 and is currently company secretary, while Davies, at the FA since 1994, has been working as director of international strategy.

In other changes at the governing body vice-chairman Frank Pattison resigned and technical director Howard Wilkinson left for the manager's job at Sunderland.

Ray Kiddell takes over Pattison's role while Wilkinson's vacancy would be considered in "due course", the statement said.