Sven Goran Eriksson....

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Sven Hammers link played down

By James Pearson- Sky - Created on 26 Oct 2006

Sven Goran Eriksson's agent has played down speculation the former England boss could be in line to succeed Alan Pardew as West Ham manager.

The Swedish tactician was spotted with Eli Papouchado, the Israeli property tycoon helping back Kia Joorabchian's prospective takeover of The Hammers, and agent Pini Zahavi.

While the trio were only having dinner in Tel Aviv, Eriksson's agent Athole Still says it was just an innocent meeting and that it was in no way associated with West Ham.

"It was an absolutely private dinner and it was not in any way connected with West Ham football club," Still told The Guardian.

Eriksson has now been out of work for four months after his spell with The Three Lions came to an end following a disappointing World Cup in Germany.

Pardew meanwhile is under pressure at Upton Park following a run of eight successive defeats, although it is believed he has the full backing of Hammers chairman Terry Brown.

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