In October 2000, Sweden's Sven-Goran Eriksson agrees a five-year contract to become England's first foreign manager

He wins his first four games - starting with a 3-0 victory over Spain - the most successful start for an England boss

Eriksson's first defeat comes in a friendly against Holland but his side bounces back in a 2002 World Cup qualifier in Munich

And Eriksson guides England to the finals in Japan, with a little help from captain David Beckham's late leveller against Greece

However, the Swede's preparations are disrupted by revelations of his affair with television star Ulrika Jonsson

England beat Argentina 1-0 and draw with Sweden and Nigeria to qualify from the group stages at the 2002 World Cup

Denmark are beaten 3-0, but England are dumped out by eventual winners Brazil 2-1 in the quarter-finals

Eriksson comes under pressure in Euro 2004 qualifying after Steven Gerrard can only rescue a point at home to Macedonia

But he guides England to the Euro 2004 Championships with a 2-1 win in Macedonia and a hard-fought 0-0 draw in Turkey

Yet again, preparations for a major tournament are hampered by speculation linking him to the manager's job at Chelsea

Eriksson ends the speculation by agreeing a two-year contract extension in March 2004 to take him up to 2008

England travel to Euro 2004 in high spirits, but lose a penalty shoot-out against hosts Portugal in the quarter-finals

Eriksson's affair with Football Association secretary Faria Alam awaits his return, but the FA rules he has no case to answer

A 1-0 defeat to Northern Ireland in World Cup qualifying sparks calls for Eriksson's exit, but England top their group

Revelations on the eve of the 2006 World Cup again damage Eriksson and the FA say he will quit after the tournament

Eriksson's reign as England manager finally ends as his side crash out of the 2006 World Cup on penalties to Portugal

Sven spends a year away from the game before being named as Stuart Pearce's replacement as Manchester City boss in July 2007

Eriksson manages City to victory in their opening three games of the season, including a 1-0 win over rivals Manchester United

The Swede's reputation grows as his side complete the double over United with a 2-1 victory at Old Trafford in February 2008

City fans protest as rumours spread that City owner Thaksin Shinawatra's intends to remove Eriksson at the end of the season

A patchy second half of the season proves to be Sven's downfall and the 8-1 defeat at Middlesbrough is the last straw for Shinawatra