Eriksson will 'quit' if rumours don't stop

ENGLAND soccer team coach Sven-Goran Eriksson has said he will quit if the speculation over his private life becomes too much to handle.

The Swede came under intense media scrutiny before the World Cup in June when revelations of his affair with television presenter Ulrika Johnsson came to light. Speaking on BBC's Breakfast with Frost, Eriksson said the pressure was part of living in England. "Your private life, it's a price you have to pay if you want to stay in this country and if you want to stay in football," said Eriksson.

"I accept it, but the day I don't accept it I will leave, change country. That type of press is more difficult in England than it is in Italy, Portugal or Sweden." England captain David Beckham, whose family was recently the subject of a kidnap threat, also revealed his discomfort with being constantly in the spotlight.

"I think something needs to be done about certain things, but it's now part and parcel of being a footballer or a manager," he said. Meanwhile, England outcast Steve McManaman has branded coach Tord Grip as unprofessional for revealing he is unlikely to play for his country again. Real Madrid's McManaman last played for England as a late substitute in the final World Cup qualifier against Greece in October 2001.

He has won 37 caps, but has not impressed for his country since Euro 96.

McManaman is angry at public discussion of his future by England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson's right hand man. He also revealed Eriksson has not spoken to him for 15 months.

Grip told Swedish television: "We know he is at Real one of the biggest teams in the world. But he doesn't have a first-team jersey and he has to have that before he can even be considered."