Eriksson committed to England

England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson insists he remains "100 per cent committed" to the England job and believes his relationship with the players "has not been damaged in any way" by revelations in a Sunday newspaper.

The Football Association have confirmed their support for the Swede who told an undercover reporter - posing as a rich Arab - that he would quit as England coach if they win the World Cup this summer, and suggested he might one-day manage Aston Villa as part of a takeover.

Days after stressing the importance of creating the right "ambience" in the squad, Eriksson made indiscreet comments about Michael Owen, David Beckham, Rio Ferdinand and Wayne Rooney.

But the FA have given the 57-year-old their "full support".

Eriksson said: "I would like to assure everyone, especially the fans, that I'm 100 per cent committed to the England job. I've told The FA this and I value the great support I have received from them."

Eriksson insisted his working relationship with the key players will remain healthy ahead of the forthcoming World Cup.

"I have spoken with the players concerned today and I have been very pleased with their reaction and am confident my relationship with them has not been damaged in any way."

A statement on the FA website read: "Following reports in today's News of the World, the Football Association can confirm that England Head Coach Sven-Goran Eriksson continues to have the full support of the organisation.

"This follows conversations between FA chief executive Brian Barwick and Sven, and subsequent conversations involving Brian with FA chairman Geoff Thompson, International Committee chairman Noel White and senior FA figures."

The manager's agent Athole Still insists the former Lazio boss will not need to repair any relationships, and also revealed Eriksson is eager to extend his current deal by another two years to 2010.

It remains to be seen what effect the revelations will have on his players ahead of this summer's World Cup finals in Germany.

Eriksson said of Ferdinand: "He is lazy sometimes," and then, referring to Ferdinand's United team-mate Rooney, he talked of the player having a "temper" and "coming from a poor family".

Eriksson said skipper Beckham was "a bit frustrated" at Real Madrid and that he would be able to phone the England captain to persuade him to return to English football with Villa.