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FA took decision for me - Eriksson

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Eriksson received the backing of his players prior to Wednesday's friendly against Uruguay.

LONDON, England -- Sven-Goran Eriksson dropped a strong hint on Tuesday that he was forced to step down as England coach after the World Cup finals, having fallen victim to an embarrassing 'sting' by a national newspaper.

The Swede was asked if there was any chance he might reconsider his decision if England won the World Cup.

"I haven't taken any decisions. "I've literally done what people told me to do. It doesn't depend on me but that's okay," claimed Eriksson.

"Everyone knows what's going to happen between now and August 1 and, after that, I don't know what's going to happen with myself."

His remarks came in a press conference ahead of England's friendly against Uruguay on Wednesday.

Eriksson was tricked into a series of indiscreet remarks about his players and his future by a reporter from the News of the World newspaper posing as an Arab sheik.

Shortly after the revelations appeared in print, Eriksson met with senior officials from the English Football Association and agreed to step aside after leading the team in Germany.

The England squad have gathered for the first time since that announcement that the 57-year-old would be going and they have been publicly united in their support for Eriksson.

"We will support the manager until he leaves at the end of the tournament. That's clear for the players," said captain David Beckham on Tuesday.

Beckham was one of a handful of players about whom Eriksson had made embarrassing comments.

"It was a difficult situation and whether you agree with it or not, it's happened and we have to move on," said Beckham.

"The players don't hold anything against him. They're fully supportive, fully behind him as a manager and as a person."

Eriksson said: "I feel I've always had support from the players. There's always been a feeling of respect between me, my coaching staff and the players.

"It's a fantastic group. I feel I have support from the FA as well. I don't know if that's strange or not. "I'm in the office every day in London when I'm not traveling to football and nothing has changed there from what I can see or feel."

The FA board met on Monday to finalize their strategy for identifying Eriksson's successor.

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