Post by Taxigirl on Nov 27, 2003 18:09:17 GMT
England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson has been offered a contract extension by the Football Association.
The new four-year deal would take the Swede's tenure up to the end of the 2008 European Championship.
Eriksson took charge of England at the start of 2001 after resigning from his post as manager of Lazio.
He guided England to the 2002 World Cup finals - thanks in part to a famous 5-1 win in Germany - only to see his team lose to Brazil in the quarter-finals.
Eriksson followed that up by leading England to the Euro 2004 finals, England clinching their place in Portugal with a fiery 0-0 stalemate in Turkey.
Eriksson's current deal with England runs out after the 2006 World Cup, but the FA are keen to secure his services for a further two years.
The Swede was apparently told of the offer a few days ago but it is likely to be some time before any agreement is reached.
"Sven is England's most successful coach since the legendary Sir Alf Ramsey," said FA chief executive Mark Palios.
"He has already contributed enormously to the reputation of England in Europe and around the world.
"This offer shows the faith we all have in him."
Eriksson has been linked with a move back into club management with Chelsea.
That speculation increased prior to England's 3-2 defeat by Denmark earlier this month, when Eriksson criticised the FA over their handling of Leeds striker Alan Smith.