Eriksson hits back at allegations Eriksson caught in tabloid sting Eriksson safe despite allegations

So should the England manager have known better than to get sucked into saying more than he should?

Or was he wronged by those in the media who set out to trap him?

BBC Sport canvasses opinions from those with an insight into the story or an interest in the fall-out from his alleged revelations.

Craig Brown, Scotland manager between 1993 and 2001, said: "It is important to keep everyone together in the camp but Sven seems to have done that very well in the past and that will count for a lot.

"Other countries have had factions in their camp, like the Dutch and Roy Keane leaving the Ireland squad, but I think there is still mutual respect between the manager and his players with England.

"I think he will be able to ride this out.

"I was with the Scotland squad for 16 years and, just as it is in England, there is a great togetherness in the country when you go to a major tournament.

"Everybody will want them to do well, including the media, and there will not be a great deal of antagonism.

"He may be a little bit embarrassed but I don't think there has been a great deal of damage done to the relationship between him and his players."

Terry Butcher, England captain at the 1990 World Cup, said: "The FA has come out quickly and backed him so he'll still be England manager when it comes to the World Cup.

"We knew he was going to leave and it's made it pretty easy for the FA to move him on after Germany.

"It's not so much the money side, it's the revealing of personal conversations with England's top stars. It's a betrayal of trust to them.

"It's something he could have done without and didn't need, but he's covered his tracks pretty well.

"The next time England meet up a lot of it will be forgotten, if not forgiven, by the players. They'll have something more important on the agenda which is the World Cup.

"I'm certain it will have affected the relationship between the players and Sven, but time is a great healer and by the time they meet up they will be talking about the World Cup."

MONDAY'S HEADLINES Win it and we forgive. Only cup glory can save Sneaky Sven The Sun 'Distraught' Eriksson talks to players after receiving the full backing of FA The Independent Sven's �7m own-goal The Daily Telegraph FA rule out Sheik-up. Lucky escape, Sven - again Daily Express Eriksson forced to grovel The Times Sven: I'm so sorry. England boss grovels to stars he betrayed Daily Star Sven's �9m cock-up. Careless talk will cost boss huge pay-off Daily Mirror Eriksson furore highlights lack of options The Guardian Not a penny more for Svenny Daily Mail

Brian Alexander, Radio Five Live presenter and former sports editor of national newspapers including the Sun, said: "A national newspaper will always be interested in reflecting mainstream opinion and listening to the reactions, but will still feel it is in the public's interest to run a story like this.

"The News of the World would have had this planned for a long time and invested a lot of money in it - it's just the sort of story they are all about - and they wouldn't have just sat on it. However, it would be pious to believe they would have run it simply because they have an anti-Sven agenda.

"What is amazing is that as a public figure, earning a huge salary and having been in the news before for the wrong reasons, Eriksson was caught out like this. He knows what the tabloids are like and must have heard of their 'fake sheikh'.

"It's not the sort of journalism that everyone agrees with, but he is a very high-profile public figure, earning a huge salary and with it comes certain responsibilities. He should have known better.

"It would have been extremely interesting if the story was broken by the Sunday Telegraph or the Sunday Times rather than the News of the World - maybe the public reaction would have been different."

Max Clifford said: "I think the article was very, very small-minded and the News of the World were absolutely crazy to run it. I'm not surprised that many of your viewers and listeners are taking Sven's side.

"Many might consider not buying a paper that's putting unnecessary pressure on the manager with just five months to go to the World Cup. The whole thing could easily back fire on them.

"Unless they can add any major revelations about Sven that will affect the football side of things in their next edition, I really can't see how they can justify what they are doing.

"Yes, it's good publicity, but in the long run what's the point of trying to unsettle the squad? If people start reacting against them it will be difficult for them to climb down."

Andrew Davis, of the Independent England Supporters' website said: "The whole thing reeks and looks like it's designed to cause maximum disruption. It's very badly timed.

"The News of the World seem to have an agenda - hoping to put pressure on the FA and give them no alternative on Sven's position.

"The paper has chosen to run the manager's private comments regarding some of his players and they have to take some of the responsibility if the stories upset England's plans.

"You can rest assured that if we won the World Cup they would be running page after page praising Eriksson.

"Why shouldn't Sven be allowed to discuss his future? - he even went with the FA's permission.

"I think most England fans will think it's a non story because they know that he is fully committed to the team leading up to the World Cup."

Conewood Gunner said: "The so-called sting on Sven is a load of rubbish from a self-righteous press. Sven is not an idiot and plans for the future. He would not be successful as a manager if he did not."

Fred's A God said: "The News of the World are cruel. They are the people who should be ashamed. But unfortunately Sven has been very naive. This can only have a negative effect on England's World Cup hopes.

Who cares what Sven does in his private life? All I want is to see is England get to the World Cup final From FH Have your say on 606

Over the side said: "Once again the media conspire to bring down the manager of the national side. Leave the man alone, he has done nothing to warrant such coverage. He is a simply a coach of a group of very talented English players that do have the potential to win the World Cup."

Spurs Champions League said: "England would never win the World Cup with Sven in charge so what does it matter?"