However, the former England manager has now decided he wants to concentrate on his role as director of football at Coca-Cola League Two side Notts County.

"Last week we made contact with 'Svennis', who is one of the people we thought could be a possibility for the job as national team coach," SvFF chairman Lars-Ake Lagrell said in a statement on www.svenskfotboll.se.

"We have had good discussions, but he has now decided that with regards to his contract with Notts County, there is no possibility of him taking charge of the national team now."

Lagerback announced he was stepping down after Sweden's failure to reach next summer's World Cup finals.

Eriksson quickly emerged as one of the favourites for the post, and it was confirmed yesterday by the SvFF the 61-year-old was on a shortlist of "five to 10 names" which also includes Fulham boss Roy Hodgson.

However, Notts County executive chairman Peter Trembling revealed last night the club had not heard from the SvFF and they were confident the Swede would stay in the role he accepted at Meadow Lane in July.

Lagrell will now turn his attention to their other options as they look to plug the gap left by Lagerback's resignation.

"There's nothing dramatic about this, we simply had a chat to see how the land lies," he explained of Eriksson.

"We'll now continue to talk to the other candidates the board have, and we hope to be able to present a replacement as soon as possible."