STOCKHOLM: Former England and Mexico coach Sven-Goran Eriksson has ruled himself out as a candidate for the Sweden coaching job.

The Swedish Football Associated said today that Eriksson — a Swede — is not interested in taking the national job because of his contract with English fourth-tier side Notts County, where he is director of football. “Last week we contacted Sven, who is one of the people we thought could be in the running for the job as national team coach,” Swedish FA chairman Lars-Ake Lagrell said.

“We have had a good dialogue but he has now informed us that he has no possibility to take over the national team now because of the contract he has with Notts County,” Lagrell said. “We continue our talks with the other candidates that the board has, and we hope to be able to present a solution as soon as possible.”

Swedish Football Association spokesman Jonas Nystedt said on Monday the association’s board drew up a shortlist of about 10 candidates to replace Lars Lagerback, who stepped down last week after Sweden failed to qualify for the World Cup. Fulham manager Roy Hodgson and Hans Backe, who was Eriksson’s assistant in Mexico, are among the candidates on the list, according to Swedish media.