Eriksson eyes return to UK after Mexico axe

Former England football manager and tabloid favourite Sven-Goran Eriksson is apparently angling for a move back to England after his ill-starred adventure as boss of Mexico came to an abrupt end after defeat to Honduras this week.

Undeterred by his turbulent five-year stint as England manager followed by a brief cameo at Manchester City, during which time his off-field antics with Ulrika Jonsson and FA secretary Faria Alam meant he spent as much time splashed over the redtops as he did in the dug-out, he still seems to have a soft spot for the country, and probably the impressive paycheques he received while he was here.

Perhaps it's a case of absence making the heart grow fonder, but Eriksson's personal manager Athole Still says: "He would love to work in England again, I know that for a fact. His first choice would be a good Premier League club in England where he has a challenge."

The admission is something of a volte face for the 61-year-old Swede. Shortly before he got the bullet Sven spoke warmly of his life in Mexico. "People don't care about my private life and I appreciate that very much," he said. Indeed, his ladies-man reputation appears to have been a positive in the eyes Mexican fans. "The idea that he is a Casanova goes down very well with the average Mexican male," said one admiring supporter.

Sadly the team's results weren't as positive and Eriksson was shown the door on Thursday after a 3-1 defeat to Honduras, just eight months after he took the job.

A return to London could see him reunited with former squeeze Nancy Dell'Olio who arrived with him from Italy and stood by him despite his straying ways until they finally split in 2007. She elected to stay in London when Sven upped sticks first for Manchester and later Mexico. ·