Eriksson to start talks with FA about new contract

Sven-Goran Eriksson is expected to open talks with the Football Association over its offer of a contract extension before England's next friendly against Sweden on 31 March.

Sven-Goran Eriksson is expected to open talks with the Football Association over its offer of a contract extension before England's next friendly against Sweden on 31 March.

However, there are still no guarantees the England coach's long-term future will be settled before this summer's Euro 2004 finals.

Eriksson has been regularly linked with clubs such as Chelsea, with speculation rife that he will quit his post after the tournament. However, the Swede has always maintained he intends to see out his existing contract with the FA, which runs until the 2006 World Cup finals.

The FA has, nevertheless, indicated its desire to offer Eriksson a two-year contract extension, coupled with a significant pay rise in the meantime. Eriksson, meanwhile, has admitted he would have preferred any such offer to have come after the Euro 2004 finals, believing it has rather forced him into a corner.

However, he now at least appears ready to sit down in the next fortnight with the FA's chief executive, Mark Palios, to hear what the governing body has to offer.

However, the FA and Eriksson have agreed not to discuss the matter publicly until there is a firm announcement to be made.