Eriksson refutes Chelsea links

Sven-Goran Eriksson has moved to deny reports that he could be head-hunted by Chelsea.

The Manchester City manager was pictured with the west London club’s owner Roman Abramovich at their match against Manchester United yesterday.

Their brief encounter in the Old Trafford stands saw Eriksson linked to the Stamford Bridge hotseat following the departure of Jose Mourinho.

But Eriksson today insisted: “If I have a free Sunday afternoon and it’s Manchester United v Chelsea, it should almost be criminal in my job not to go and see that match.

“Of course I wanted to see it like most football people in the world. It has nothing to do with Abramovich or Chelsea.

“I have a three-year contract here. I don’t know anything about the situation in Chelsea.”

Current Chelsea manager Avram Grant, who the Blues hierarchy insisted last week was a permanent appointment, has come under scrutiny in recent days over the validity of his coaching qualifications gained in Israel.

The League Managers’ Association have asked for his credentials to be clarified, with all professional managers in Europe required to have gained a UEFA pro licence.

Eriksson passed his exams while still working in his homeland, and he is adamant that all managers must be qualified to do their jobs.

“In Sweden there were four stages to become a coach at the highest level,” he added.

“It is very good and I think it’s important that we warrant this job, we have to have it (the licence).”