Eriksson tells Ranieri he doesn’t want Chelsea job

SVEN-GORAN ERIKSSON has assured Claudio Ranieri he has no intention of replacing him at Chelsea, as the Swede restated his determination to stay on as England boss until at least next summer.

However, Eriksson admitted his future could be taken out of his hands if England fail to qualify for the Euro 2004 finals in Portugal.

The England coach was at pains to stress ahead of tomorrow’s friendly against Croatia at Portman Road that his friendship with Chelsea boss Roman Abramovich has no bearing on his future management plans. Then again, while accepting his photographed meeting with Abramovich soon after the Russian’s takeover was badly timed, Eriksson admits there is little he can do to convince sceptics of his desire to stay with England.