Sven-Goran Eriksson will leave his post as England coach following the summer’s World Cup finals.

Following a meeting with the Football Association, he agrees to depart with two years left on his contract.

Bolton Wanderers’ Sam Allardyce is installed as favourite to succeed Eriksson.- Sven-Goran Eriksson will leave his post as England coach following the summer’s World Cup finals.
Following six hours of talks between the 57 year-old and the Football Association at Soho Square, he agrees to depart with two years left on his contract. Eriksson releases a statement: “I know that I have the full support of the players and the FA. I care passionately about this job and I want everyone to know that. I have always enjoyed the incredible support of the fans and I know how important they will be to us in Germany.” He has come under immense pressure following the Fake Sheikh sting in the News of the World.

- With odds of 5/2, Bolton Wanderers’ Sam Allardyce is installed as favourite to succeed Eriksson. Others quoted are: Alan Curbishley 3/1, Steve McClaren 7/2, Ottmar Hitzfeld 8/1, Martin O’Neill 10/1, Steve Bruce 12/1, Luiz Felipe Scolari 12/1, Guus Hiddink 12/1, Stuart Pearce 12/1, Sir Bobby Robson 16/1, Sir Trevor Brooking 20/1, Bryan Robson 20/1, Paul Jewell 20/1, Fabio Capello 25/1, Jose Mourinho 25/1, Arsene Wenger 33/1, Gerard Houllier 33/1, Peter Taylor 40/1, Harry Redknapp 66/1, Sir Alex Ferguson 66/1, Alan Shearer 66/1, Sammy Lee 66/1 and Kevin Keegan 100/1.

- Middlesbrough cancel Abel Xavier’s contract. The 33 year-old defender is currently battling against a drugs ban having tested positive after Boro’s goalless draw against Xanthi on 29 September 2005. He has been banned for 18 months.

- Manchester United announce a profit of £46million for the year ending June 2005, a drop of £12.3million from the previous 12 months. Chief executive David Gill attributes the fall to a drop in television money. United paid £2.2million to agents, including £1.5million to buy Wayne Rooney from Everton.

- With £7million new record signing Dean Ashton in the Upton Park stands, West Ham United beat Fulham 2-1 with spectacular goals from Anton Ferdinand and Yossi Benayoun.

- Greater Manchester Police write to the Football Association and Manchester United to complain over Gary Neville’s excessive goal celebrations after yesterday’s late winner against Liverpool at Old Trafford. A statement from GMP says: “Chief Superintendent Andy Holt has written a letter expressing his concern. No criminal investigation is taking place at this stage.”

- In Group D of the African Cup of Nations, Wigan Athletic’s Henri Camara scores Senegal’s opener in a 2-0 win against Zimbabwe. Ghana become the third of Africa’s World Cup qualifiers to lose their opening match as they go down 0-1 to Nigeria.