Stockholm - Former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson is no longer an option as Sweden coach, the president of the Swedish Football Association said Tuesday. Lars-Ake Lagrell said the Association contacted Eriksson, 61, last week since the Swedish coach was "one of the people the association felt was of interest" for the vacant position.
"We have had a good dialogue but he has now notified us that due to his contract with Notts County he has no opportunity to take over the national team," Lagrell said in a statement.
Lagrell said the quest would continue to find a replacement for Lars Lagerback who stepped down last week at the end of his side's unsuccessful qualifying campaign for 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
Lagerback led Sweden to five international championships but in the recent series the country has struggled to produce goals.
With Eriksson likely out of the race, speculation has centred on the duo Hans Backe and Jorgen Lennartsson sharing responsibility. Backe has worked with Eriksson while Lennartsson is in charge of Sweden's under-21 national team.
Another name is Swede Erik Hamren, who coaches Norwegian side Rosenborg and has had good results in the Danish and Swedish leagues.
