By Alan Hansen BBC Sport football expert

The Football Association's decision to offer Sven-Goran Eriksson a new four-year contract is a positive and wise move on its part.

The 64,000 dollar question is whether he will sign it.

Eriksson has done incredibly well, albeit under the sort of scrutiny and criticism that is part and parcel of life as the England manager.

Eriksson offered new deal

But his record is outstanding, the players seem to like him and I feel this is an offer better made now than later.

If the FA wants him to remain in the job - which it obviously does - it is better to act now on the back of the qualification for Euro 2004 than wait any longer.

They have acted positively, which is vitally important.

The hierarchy at Soho Square obviously do not want to be seen to be dithering and bringing any more criticism down on their heads.

In the nicest possible way, they have put Eriksson under pressure by making the contract offer.

Should he accept it, it would not only secure the services of a manager who has done a terrific job but also help put speculation surrounding his future to bed once and for all.

Eriksson has been linked with the job at Chelsea but has consistently said he enjoys the task of managing England, although he has had some trying times recently.

There was the Rio Ferdinand drugs test saga and the problems with Alan Smith's selection, then removal, from the squad to face Denmark.

Eriksson may want to go back to the day-to-day involvement of club management

Whether he agrees to sign the contract is the interesting one. I think it could go either way. Now it is all down to Eriksson because the FA has shown its hand.

Eriksson says he relishes the job - and he certainly has the players' support - but it may be outside influences that ultimately prove crucial.

He may decide he does not like the constant intrusion into his private life, which he has had to suffer.

Eriksson may also want to go back to the day-to-day involvement of club management that he enjoyed when he was so successful at the likes of Lazio.

There is a lot of pressure in club management when you are at the top end, but you can multiply that ten-fold when you enter the international arena, especially with a country that has high expectations such as England.

It is up to Eriksson now and it is certainly a very interesting situation - but from the Football Association's point of view I consider it to be a very good move.