Sweden interested in Eriksson

Sven-Goran Eriksson is set to be approached by the Swedish FA to see if he is interested in becoming the new head coach of his home country.

The post has become vacant after Lars Lagerback stepped down last week and Swedish FA president Lars-Ake Lagrell has identified Eriksson, who is now director of football at Notts County, as his replacement.

Lagrell told BBC Sport: “I am a friend of ‘Svennis’ and know how good a manager he is.”

It is understood the Swedish FA will also ask Notts County for permission to speak to the 61-year-old former England manager.

It is by no means certain that Eriksson would take the Sweden job even if he was offered it.

Eriksson has a five-year contract with Notts County and according to sources close to the Swede he is very keen on seeing the project through to the end.

If he was interested in the Sweden post, it is understood he would first explore opportunities to see whether he could combine both the international job with his club one.

Eriksson’s business manager Lars Sternmarker told Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet: “Lars-Ake has spoken to both me and Svennis although I cannot reveal what was said for confidentiality reasons.

“But Svennis is Swedish at heart and feels very happy and flattered.”

Asked whether he thought Eriksson would take the job, Sternmarker added: “The federation has identified a number of options, and the fact they have called Svennis is not particularly strange since he is the most successful coach in Sweden.

“The purpose of these calls is to allow the federation to look over the possibilities, options and what the person himself wants.

“We cannot give any definite answers for a while, we think it’s fun that a dialogue has been opened and that there is scope for more discussions.”

(reopens) The Swedish FA has confirmed that Eriksson is on their shortlist and has been approached about succeeding Lagerback.

Jonas Nystedt, head of communications at the organisation, told Press Association Sport: “Last Thursday, after the Albania game, the board had a meeting and discussed what route should be taken.

“Things that were discussed were, obviously, who it should possibly be, their education and career, reputation and location and things like that.

“There is a special list of five to 10 names and Sven-Goran Eriksson is on that list.

“What the Swedish FA did over the weekend was to contact a lot of these people, not just Sven-Goran Eriksson but a lot of people.

“We asked them what their situation was – like what it says in their contract with their club – and whether they were interested in the job.

“Sven-Goran Eriksson has been contacted but he is only one person on the list. Obviously the rules stipulate that we would have to discuss with Notts County the situation regarding Sven-Goran Eriksson in more depth.”