FA plotted Eriksson departure a year ago

International news: Sven-Goran Eriksson will not receive a penny in compensation from the English Football Association if he goes straight into another job after departing as England's manager following this summer's World Cup in Germany.

After extended talks between the FA and Eriksson's advisers on Monday, an agreement was struck in which a pay-off would not be claimed in the event he is appointed in another managerial post before the start of next season.

"I would like to stress that hopefully it will not cost the FA a penny," said Eriksson.

Clearly the Swede's future employment status will make him a more attractive prospect for potential suitors, whom he urged to make contact immediately.

"I am free," he said. "If I want to stay in football, I can't wait until July 10th."

Eriksson had been handed a £4.5 million-a-year contract, taking him to the Euro 2008 finals, by Mark Palios, Brian Barwick's predecessor as English FA chief executive, in 2004, but will not now be able to use that as leverage against the English FA.

It emerged yesterday that Eriksson's route out of the England manager's job was plotted 12 months ago, Barwick having offered him the opportunity to step down after the 2006 World Cup during their first meeting.

"It's been going on for a year," said Eriksson. "On the first day for Brian Barwick I went into his office and started talking about what was going to happen after the World Cup 2006. So there's been discussions about it now and then, not every day.

"It's a private agreement that I, after the 2006 World Cup, could leave; informing Brian. (The agreement) was more to do with Brian (than Palios). The only ones who knew (about it) were Brian, myself, my agent and my lawyer."

The comments shed new light on the circumstances of Eriksson's trip to Dubai which increased the scrutiny of his position. It was there that he became the victim of a tabloid sting operation and declared his desire to manage Aston Villa after the World Cup.

Barwick insisted that the publication of Eriksson's indiscretions, which are the subject of a legal complaint from the England manager, had no bearing on the decision to part company. Nevertheless, that legal action proved convenient when Barwick was pressed on issues of Eriksson's conduct; he regularly sidestepped invitations to upbraid the Swede.

Barwick did admit, however, that he was comfortable that Eriksson might have been entertaining post-England ambitions.

"I was keen that if Sven was going to enjoy his football trade past 2006, that I was aware of it," said Barwick.

"In a way we've been trying to insure against (being left in the lurch), by having a mature relationship, that we would try and prevent that situation. What was important for me was to be seen to be backing Sven."

Eriksson insisted that arrangements for his future employment would not impinge on England's ambition to be participating in the World Cup final on the previous day, saying instead the details of negotiations would be handled by his agent, Athole Still.

The amicable nature of the divorce appears to be based on its mutual convenience.

The perception is that Eriksson has proved expensive at £4.5 million a year; one that Barwick did nothing to dispel with his unexplained comment that "with the new Wembley upon us, it might just be the right time".

Eriksson, though, pointed to "at least 10 managers in Europe earning that money; you have to pay that money if you want someone like (Alex) Ferguson, (Arsene) Wenger, (Roberto) Mancini or (Carlo) Ancelotti."

There was no insight into whether the next England manager will be offered a contract that runs from World Cup to World Cup, nor indeed whether the FA will look to home or abroad.

"I've always believed that today was probably not the day to talk about Sven's successor," said Barwick. "The answer we have offered in the past is that it should be the best person for the job. If he is (English) so much the better. That is where we have to start."

Guardian Service