LONDON: The failure, after little more than half a season, of Sven-Goran Eriksson's mission to lift Notts County – England’s oldest professional club – from fourth division to Premier League has, at the least, put him back in line for a World Cup finished to the season.

Eriksson achieved his freedom after Munto Finance, the company which had originally hired the Swede and promised millions of pounds, withdrew its support. Thus executive chairman Peter Trembling has sold the club for a symbolic £1 to a consortium led by Midlands businessman Ray Trew.

Disappointed Eriksson has refused to pursue a claim for £2.5m in loss of earnings because, he said, he did not want to be the person who brought the Magpies to the brink of bankruptcy. He will become an honorary joint life president of the club.

Eriksson had earned enormous respect in Nottingham for his work at the club as director of football. He was regularly present at training and at youth games without ever interfering in the work of successive managers.

His experience of major tournament finals with England - quarter-finalists at the 2002 and 2006 World Cups and at Euro 2004 - means Eriksson is likely to be approached by several of the World Cup finalists.

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