Sport 04-11-2002 Eriksson Turns Down Italian Job who: Sven Goran Eriksson what: Insists he is determined to carry on as England manager where: Lancaster Gate, LONDON when: Yesterday snippet: "Sven Goran Eriksson has turned down the chance to coach Italy. For now," says The Independent. "He is, though, intending to speak to Geoff Thompson, the Football Association chairman, to clarify his position this week in the wake of Adam Crozier`s forced exit as chief executive." "The Italians clearly sense an opportunity to recruit one of the most respected figures in world coaching," says The Telegraph`s Henry Winter. "Eriksson was approached on Saturday by the president of the Italian federation, Franco Carraro, about succeeding Giovanni Trappatoni, whose job has been under severe threat since last month`s 2-1 defeat to Wales in Cardiff." Crozier announced his departure last week after continually clashing with Premiership chairmen. On Friday, Eriksson said he was "shocked and saddened by the news like everybody else at the FA" but that he was "determined to carry on" in his job. Assistant coach Steve McClaren followed Crozier shortly afterwards, ostensibly to concentrate on managing Middlesbrough. But there have been rumours that he was angry with Eriksson over his decision to drop Boro skipper Gareth Southgate from the England line-up. [... more]

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