Soccer: Eriksson dismisses talk of golden handshake

Sven-Goran Eriksson says his premature departure as England's soccer coach may not cost the FA "one single penny" despite reports that he is in line for a big payoff.

The 57-year-old Swede also countered criticism that he has been overpaid since being installed as England's first foreign head coach in 2000.

After a lengthy meeting with the FA, it was agreed that Eriksson would leave his post after this year's World Cup finals in Germany, despite a contract running until the 2008 European Championship.

Reports in English newspapers estimated he could leave with a compensation package of up to £5 million ($13.2 million) but Eriksson said any payoff would be waived if he found a new job before the World Cup ends.

He refused to reveal full details of the deal and FA chief executive Brian Barwick said it was a "private agreement".

"I would like to say very strongly that hopefully it will not cost the FA one penny," Eriksson said yesterday. "I can't be sure but I'm quite confident it will not cost the FA."

Eriksson is now free to search for a new job, which will raise eyebrows in the run-up to a World Cup, but Barwick believes the situation is "manageable".

"If I want to stay in football I can't wait until July 10 to get a new job. That's obvious. All of us know that," Eriksson said.

"If I'm going to negotiate, I have my agent. But I don't know where because in football you don't take the first step to ask 'Can I come and work for you?' They offer you the job.

"I am free to talk about it but it will not affect our preparation for the World Cup."

Eriksson's tenure as England coach has been dogged by tabloid headlines about his private life and criticism that his £4 million salary is excessive.

- REUTERS