Newcastle job 'interests' Eriksson

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LONDON, England -- Former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson has thrown his hat into the ring to succeed Glenn Roeder at Premier League Newcastle.

Eriksson's agent, Athole Still, said his client would relish the chance to return to management at St James' Park.

Still told the Press Association: "There has been no contact whatsoever, but if Newcastle were interested in Sven-Goran Eriksson, I am sure Sven-Goran Eriksson would be interested in talking to Newcastle."

Eriksson has been out of work since handing over to assistant Steve McClaren after last year's World Cup, when a lackluster England were eliminated by Portugal in the quarterfinals.

He is still being paid compensation by the Football Association but the Swede said last week that he is looking for a way back into the game, and was ready to take a "big job" in the English Premiership.

Still added: "Sven is very keen to get back into club football and he would be interested in talking to any club which had real ambition."

Eriksson fared well in a phone poll of fans carried out by Newcastle-based radio station Metro, although he is not understood to figure high on chairman Freddy Shepherd's shortlist, which is topped by overwhelming favorite Sam Allardyce with Lyon manager Gerard Houllier also emerging as a surprise candidate.

Only last month, Shepherd dismissed speculation Eriksson was being lined up to replace Roeder.

However, the 51-year-old's resignation on Sunday saw Allardyce swiftly installed as the main contender with most bookmakers suspending betting.

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