Swede 'to make history as first foreign football coach of England'

Sven Goran Eriksson could make history next summer by becoming the first non-English coach of the England international football team.

Sven Goran Eriksson could make history next summer by becoming the first non-English coach of the England international football team.

Reports from Italy suggested the Swede had already concluded a deal with the Football Association, but the FA's executive director, David Davies, would only say that talks had taken place. "Meetings have taken place over the past 24 hours with Sven-Goran Eriksson and representatives of his club, Lazio," Mr Davies said.

"The FA have discussed the possibility of him taking charge of the England team both for key games in the short term and in a full-time capacity in the long term. Those talks will resume in the near future."

Reports in Italy said that Mr Eriksson, 52, who is currently coach of the Italian Serie A side Lazio, will sign a five-year deal to take over as Kevin Keegan's permanent replacement from1 July. His salary will be reportedly be £2m per season. Mr Eriksson's appointment would end weeks of speculation over the position following Mr Keegan's resignation earlier this month.

It is understood that the Swede was in second place on an FA hit list of three. The top choice had apparently been Arsenal's French coach, Arsÿne Wenger, but neither he nor his club had shown any enthusiasm for him taking the job. The only Englishman understood to have been on the list was Roy Hodgson, formerly the coach of the Swiss national side.

Lazio's president, Sergio Cragnotti, appeared to confirm last night that when Mr Eriksson's contract expires at the end of June, the coach will be leaving to take the reins of England. "I could not stand in his way," Mr Cragnotti said. "It was the chance of a lifetime."

Mr Eriksson came to the fore in the FA's thinking largely because of an absence of suitable English candidates. Although never a distinguished player, Mr Eriksson has built an enviable reputation as a coach of some of Europe's biggestclubs. This year he led Lazio to the Serie A title, which is arguably the hardest league competition in the world.