Sven will stay on - even if there's pain in Portugal

The Football Association's faith in the capability of Sven Goran Eriksson to lead England to World Cup success in 2006 is such that he will remain in charge regardless of results in Portugal this summer. The revelation from the FA comes at the conclusion of a week during which it was hoped that the agreement of an extension of the Swede's contract until 2008 would quell the controversy following the publication of photographs of him caught in flagrante delicto at the home of Chelsea's chief executive, Peter Kenyon. Instead it has fuelled the debate, with the D word punctuating most of the analysis of his recent conduct.

Eriksson's consorting with Chelsea may have been exposed by a furtive photographer, but his display of "disloyalty" has done him little harm. In fact, the belief in him within Soho Square enabled an FA source to confirm: "If we go to Portugal, and lose three matches, the coach of the England team going into World Cup 2006 will be Sven Goran Eriksson."

Such a stance is inevitable, because the FA have to back their judgement - although many of us believe their vehement and extravagant support of Eriksson still has to be vindicated - and that does not include casting him aside should Euro 2004 success not be forthcoming. It is a policy not without precedent, the FA would argue. In 1988, Bobby Robson's England side went to the European Championship finals in Germany and lost all three of their group games - against the Republic of Ireland, Holland and the USSR. Two years later, under Robson's management, they finished fourth in the World Cup.

Contrary to some reports, Eriksson was never "threatened with the sack" if he failed to conclude a new contract last weekend, though it is understood that there was a contingency list of "10 or 11" possible contenders compiled in the event that "he falls under a bus" as the FA's chief executive, Mark Palios, diplomatically put it ("if he falls under the spell of a footballing suitor" more like it).

That list almost certainly contains such luminaries as Arsène Wenger, Martin O'Neill and Gérard Houllier, although most would have not been available because of their club commitments. The FA also have not entirely discounted a policy formulated under Palios's predecessor, Adam Crozier, of bringing in a young club manager - Alan Curbishley and Steve Bruce come immediately to mind - to assist Eriksson during international weeks, with a view to possible promotion to head coach when the Swede departs.

Neither, it is believed, were the FA unduly troubled by Eriksson speaking to clubs. They were aware that several unofficial approaches had been made during his three-year tenure. Palios and his aides believed that if they attempted to deny him that opportunity, those clubs' appeal may have been all the greater. The FA were always aware that they could not counter a serious attempt to wrest his services from them with mere millions. Even the seemingly spectacular deal of £4m a year agreed last Sunday by Eriksson and his adviser, Athole Still, together with the trio representing the FA - Palios, David Davies and Arsenal's David Dein - would have been readily improved upon by Chelsea's Roman Abramovich.

However, throughout the early months of this year, Eriksson had been gently reminded of the significant footballing opportunity he has been offered to continue as England's head coach. The desire to return to club management was understandable, he was told, but he would be in no less demand following a successful England stewardship.

But why was it all rushed through last weekend, giving the impression that the FA had been panicked into a deal? They deny that was the case, and concede only that the pictures of Eriksson snatched outside Kenyon's residence accelerated the process. The fact is that the FA, who had first proffered a contract extension back in October, knew they could not afford to allow the issue to drift into the summer. Yes, they could have postponed negotiations until then. But once Euro 2004 is over, the World Cup qualifying campaign begins within weeks.

If England were to perform with distinction in Portugal, the demand for Eriksson would be all the greater. What would the public outcry be then if they were to lose him to one of Europe's major clubs? In fact, it was Eriksson himself who apparently informed the FA several weeks ago that he wanted the matter resolved by the week of the Sweden friendly to avoid distractions during his Euro 2004 preparations.

The negotiation procedure has not been perfect, but when is it ever, where the employment of the England coach, a position under more scrutiny than anywhere apart from possibly Brazil, is concerned? The FA were damned if they didn't extend Eriksson's contract; and have been damned because they have extended it at an extra £1m a year.

Eriksson's compatriot, Lennart Johan-sson, the president of Uefa, explains the Swedish perspective. "In my opinion, they should not be so critical," he says of Eriksson's detractors. "He must be allowed, as a coach, to have the opportunity to talk to people. If I work for somebody and have a contract, and somebody talks to me and offers something, I should listen. Sven's answer was that he renewed his contract for another two years. When I look at all the English papers and TV, I think, 'Is it really that bad? Has he done so much [wrong]?' Let the results talk as long as he is doing well, and it seems to me he is. You have your traditions and we have ours, and perhaps they are in collision sometimes."

Those traditions include the projection of Eriksson, with partner Nancy Dell'Olio, to gossip-column figures. It is one facet of English life of which he disapproves. It was suggested that he should maintain a lower profile. "Where should I go?" said Eriksson, with a wry smile. "I must hide in the woods in Sweden somewhere? I'm not going to disappear. I'm going to see football games. I never wanted to have a high profile. But the job does not allow me to do that."

And that, you feel, as much as results, will ultimately decide whether Eriksson's much-debated contract extension produces anything resembling reality.