The Swede was sacked after it was revealed in the 'News of the World' that he had held talks in Dubai about his future after the England post.
LONDON: Former England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson said that had the Football Association looked into the story that cost him his job then he might still be in the post.
The Swede was sacked after it was revealed in the 'News of the World' that he had held talks in Dubai about his future after the England post, in fact he had fallen for one of their investigative reporters who specialises in ensnaring high profile characters into embarrassing situations.
"The real reason I was sacked was because of a newspaper story about Dubai," said Eriksson, who guided England to two World Cup quarter-finals and the Euro 2004 last eight.
"And of course what was written in those stories was not true, or a lot of it. It's very easy for a newspaper if they want to hurt you to do it."
"The FA knew why I went to Dubai and I didn't go there to listen for a new job. I went to listen about football in Dubai. They tried to set me up and they were lucky."
"I was sacked because this time the FA had had enough and they didn't check if it was true or not."
While Eriksson admits his name appeared in the papers too often for the wrong reasons, usually about his private life, he also confessed to holding talks with prospective employers about life after England, though he added he would never have broken his contract.
The Swede, who enjoyed a stellar career as a club manager with Lazio, Sampdoria and Benfica among others, denied he had been greedy in continuing to be paid a salary after he left the England post following the penalty shootout defeat to Portugal in last year's World Cup quarter-finals.
"I had a contract until 2008. I was sacked," said Eriksson who had a condition in his contract that he would continue to be paid till it ended unless he found a job in the meantime.
"If I had been greedy I would have asked for money until 2008, it would have been fair. I agreed to have six months fully paid and six months half paid. So I think I was good value for the FA."
Eriksson, who said he would take the England job again but realised he would not be offered it, revealed his main regret about his time as England coach was not taking a 'mental coach' to prepare the players for a penalty shoot-out
in the World Cup.
"England in this moment, last year and in the future, have a squad of players who can win the World Cup. We didn't do it, and I'm extremely sorry about that, but we could have done it."
As for his future, Eriksson said he hoped to be back in club football for next season.
"I could easily work in England, I probably will not do that, but football-wise, I could."
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