I will not listen to other clubs and countries when there is football going on in England Sven-Goran Eriksson

Eriksson is stepping down after the 2006 World Cup following an agreement with the Football Association.

The Swede, whose deal ran until 2008, said: "Since some time ago I felt there was too much circus around my private life. Maybe this was one too many.

"I've been asked to win the World Cup and after that I've been asked to look after my life."

Eriksson denied the pressure of being in such a high-profile job was the reason behind him leaving.

He added: "It's always been great pressure and it will be even bigger in the next five or six months and I like that. It's better to have a job with a lot of pressure than with none at all.

"But I think myself sometimes I get fed up reading about my private life, what I did and said, and I think people - the fans - in general are getting fed up with Sven and what's going on.

"We should talk about football but unfortunately it is difficult in this country."

On Monday the FA and Eriksson met for talks about his future and later it was announced the coach would be leaving after the finals in Germany.

But Eriksson revealed they had been talking for the last year about his departure and it appears the FA played an instrumental part in him taking up that option.

Chief executive Brian Barwick said: "I am giving Sven an opportunity to take the best English side since 1966 to the World Cup and that's my way of saying I have a fantastic degree of confidence in his ability to deliver for us."

Barwick refused to divulge the compensation deal the FA has agreed with Eriksson, but newspapers have speculated that it is between �1m and �5m.

The decision for Eriksson to stand down came on the back of controversy following allegations by an undercover reporter.

When the News of the World's "fake-Sheikh" story about Eriksson was published on 15 January, the England coach's agent, Athole Still, hinted there was a possibility his client would sign a deal until 2010.

I've been asked to win the World Cup and after that I've been asked to look after my life Sven-Goran Eriksson

But Eriksson added: "Since chief executive Brian Barwick came into the job about a year ago we always had discussions about what was going to happen after the World Cup 2006.

"And we had a private agreement that we would talk about it at a certain point."

Eriksson expects to be linked with a host of managerial positions as he sees out his tenure as England boss, but he is determined to shrug off any speculation to concentrate on leading his side to what he hopes will be World Cup glory.

"A lot of things have been said and written. Too many things maybe," he said.

"Now there's been an agreement and we have to look at the World Cup and concentrate on that.

"At the moment, this is the most important thing because we have a chance to win it. Let us not spoil that.

"There will be a lot of rumours, that's for sure. Every time a club is losing my name will crop up.

Eriksson has not always had an easy ride from the Press

"I will not listen to other clubs and countries when there is football going on in England."

Asked if he would manage a club in England, Eriksson said: "I have absolutely no idea.

"The only thing I know for sure is that I don't want to claim my pension yet. I don't have any offers at all.

"In football, you don't look for jobs - you are asked."

Eriksson called the News of the World's story a "scandal" but declined to comment further because of legal action being taken against the newspaper.

He also stated he had talked to England captain David Beckham before the announcement on Monday that the Swede would be leaving after the World Cup finals in Germany.

"I felt that I had to speak to my captain and inform him what was coming," he said.

"I told him what was the result and I told him it will come out in about 10 minutes' time."

The former IFK Gothenberg, Benfica, Roma, Fiorentina, Sampdoria and Lazio coach also believes the morale of his players will not be affected by recent events and comments from him about certain individuals.

"If you talk about myself, my coaches, the players - the players couldn't care less about it, " he said.

"I spoke to many of the players and they don't care."

Barwick emphasised Eriksson had his backing in his attempts to win the World Cup but that any thoughts about a successor were on hold for the time being.

The news conference ended with Eriksson categorically stating he would leave his post - even if England won the World Cup.

"If we win the World Cup - thank you and goodbye," he insisted.