Sven Staying With England!

Last updated : 28 March 2004 By Rich Godden
Sven, who named Scott Parker and Joe Cole in his latest England squad, has been linked with the Chelsea job ever since he was spotted going into Roman Abramovich's house way back in July.

But that speculation should now end, after the Swede revealed: "I was listening to Chelsea. If you have ambition you listen to other jobs. Chelsea has never offered me anything, nor have other clubs.

"I had questions about my future and if it was possible or not to take up discussions, not only with an English club but with other clubs around Europe. I was not close to joining Chelsea. I was listening. When clubs come and you have ambition you listen to other jobs."

Speaking of his new England deal, Sven said "I'm glad we've been able to come to an agreement to extend my involvement with the national team.

"In an ideal world I would have liked to wait until after Euro 2004, but that was more or less impossible with all the speculation. I have a contract until 2008. I have a great job. It's bigger than I thought."

And our Chief Executive Peter Kenyon has admitted that he did have discussions with Sven about his future intentions- surely signalling the end of Claudio Ranieri's spell as Chelsea manager.

Kenyon, who just a week ago criticised the press about the constant specualtion regarding Claudio Ranieri, has now added more fuel to the fire. The ex-Man Yoo Chief Exec revealed: "I did have informal discussions with Sven-Goran Eriksson to talk about his future intentions.

"He made it very clear that he missed the day-to-day challenge of club football but it was also obvious from those discussions that he has enormous loyalty to the England job and the England players.

"We would also like to make it clear that there was never any offer made to him and we wish him every success with England for Euro 2004 in Portugal."

Can we now change the regular chant at Stamford Bridge from "We don't want Eriksson" to "We don't want Kenyon"?