London, July 14: English premiership side Chelsea yeaterday denied they are about to swoop for England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson.
"There is no truth in the rumour that we are trying to bring Sven-Goran Eriksson to Chelsea," Chief Executive Trevor Birch told the club's website, www.Chelseafc.Com as he leapt to the defence of current Stamford Bridge coach Claudio Ranieri. "Claudio Ranieri is the coach, he has four years remaining on his contract, he has just got us into the champions league and has already had a very positive meeting with Roman Abramovich (the club's new billionaire owner).
"Together we have charted the Chelsea path forward."
Birch's statement comes after the Football Association earlier reiterated Eriksson's commitment to the England job after some reports had suggested it was a matter of when and not if he joined chelsea.

But the FA restated Eriksson's denial issued earlier this week after it first emerged that he had met Abramovich with Israeli agent Pini Zahavi.

"I can confirm that last week I met with Pini Zahavi and the new owner of Chelsea football club - Roman Abramovich. The meeting took place at Mr Abramovich's property in London," Eriksson said in a statement to www.Thefa.Com.

"Due to the intense media profile given to Mr Abramovich's involvement with Chelsea, I accept that this meeting may create unfortunate speculation.

"Therefore, I would like to once again categorically reaffirm my total commitment to my role as England head coach."

Bureau Report.