Football story by Dominic Taylor, Mon, 30 Jan 2006 21:16:00 GMT


LONDON - Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon has sought to put a lid on any rumor of Jose Mourinho taking over the England squad after Sven Goran-Eriksson by saying that he was happy at Chelsea and had no plans to work for the Football Association.

"Mourinho has made it clear he's not interested and we'd make it quite clear we are not interested in letting him go," Kenyon said. "He likes Chelsea, he and his family like London, and he is very happy with what we are planning to do. We think he will be here to fulfill the plans we have all put in place together." Mourinho has six years left in his contract with Chelsea and Kenyon said that they were keen to have him continue after that as well.

Meanwhile, the Football Association has indicated that it would like to name Eriksson's successor much before the World Cup begins. Alan Curbishley, Sam Allardyce, Steve McClaren, Guus Hiddink, Martin O'Neill and Luiz Felipe Scolari are being seen as the likely candidates to replace Eriksson, whose indiscrete interview with News of the World undercover reporter cost him his job.

It is reported that even Eriksson is keen to find some other job before his tenure expires. Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd has denied sending an SMS to the Swede offering him the top job at St James' Park. "I don't even have his number so I'd love to see this message. All I can say is that I'd like to wish Mr. Eriksson well with England in the summer, and good luck for whatever he chooses to do after that," Shepherd said.

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