Eriksson 'turns down North Korea job'

Sven-Goran Eriksson has turned down an offer from North Korea to become their technical adviser for next year's World Cup.

The former England manager, currently Notts County's director of football, was approached by the North Korean FA but Press Association Sport understands he has decided against taking up the offer.

Notts County's chairman Peter Trembling denied the club had been approached.

He said: "We wish to make it clear that Notts County have not received any approach nor had any discussions whatsoever with the North Korean FA in relation to Sven-Goran Eriksson becoming an interim manager of their national team.

"Sven is concentrating all his efforts and is totally focused on the appointment of our new manager in succession to Ian McParland.

"It is correct that I am making a business trip to Asia but this is solely and exclusively on official Notts County business.

"I will be visiting Taiwan, China, Hong Kong and Thailand to discuss a range of Notts County initiatives linked to our 150th anniversary."

North Korea have qualified for the finals for the first time since they played in England in 1966.

Eriksson's last international job was as head coach of Mexico but the Swede was sacked earlier this year after a run of poor results.

North Korea's players are in France preparing for next year's World Cup but could only manage a drab 0-0 with second division Nantes last week followed by another goalless draw on Tuesday night against a Congo side.

A total of just seven goals in eight qualifiers has earned criticism for coach Kim Jung-Hun and his team despite finishing second behind neighbours South Korea in Asian qualifying group two to secure a World Cup place for the first time since 1966.

Football is the most popular sport in North Korea but Pyongyang's leadership banned the national squad from travelling abroad after losing to arch-rivals Japan and South Korea in qualifiers for the 1994 World Cup.