Eriksson puts hand up for Chelsea job

Former England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson has revealed his interest in the vacant manager position at Chelsea.

The Stamford Bridge club recently parted company with Andre Villas-Boas after under nine months in charge, making him the club’s eighth manager to face the axe in nine years under chairman Roman Abramovich.

But the Swede, who has been out of work since his sacking from Leicester City in October, does not believe the position is a ‘poisoned chalice’ after suggestions from some quarters to the contrary.

“I would take it, of course,” Eriksson told Sky Sports News.

“Nothing is impossible. But this time I think it is understandable that something (Villas-Boas’ sacking) happened.”

“I don’t defend it. But I can understand it, because with Chelsea, if they don’t play in Europe next season, that would be a disaster for them.”

The former England manager was famously linked to Abramovich during his time in charge of the Three Lions and he continues to admire the Premier League giants.

Villa-Boas’ assistant, Roberto Di Matteo, has been placed in charge on an interim basis for the rest of the season, with former manager Jose Mourinho and ex-Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez also thought to be among the candidates for the vacancy.