Sven-Goran Eriksson returned to England on Monday to confront the crisis at the Football Association that may yet cost the Swede his job as national coach. Chief executive Mark Palios quit after claims the FA tried to keep his affair with a secretary quiet by exposing Eriksson's links with the same woman.
Eriksson, back from holiday in Sweden, will face up to his bosses as part of the FA's inquiry into the saga.
It is thought the 12-man FA board will look to resolve the matter by Thursday.
Despite pressure to make an announcement on Monday's comings and goings at the FA's headquarters, officials opted to remain tight-lipped.
"Due to the ongoing inquiry which was announced last week, The FA is unable to provide any conclusive comment at this moment," a statement read.
"We fully understand the huge interest and demand for an FA statement and will of course issue any definitive update as soon as we are in a position to do so."
David Davies, installed as temporary replacement for Palios, had hinted earlier on Monday that Eriksson's job may be safe.
The acting chief executive said: "It's a time for us to rally the staff and Sven is very popular and respected by the players.
"Sven has a consistent track record everywhere he has worked.
"He wants to be coach and is one of the outstanding coaches in the world, that is why many clubs seek his services."
But FA chairman Geoff Thompson and director of football Sir Trevor Brooking refused to comment when they turned up for work at Soho Square around 1000 BST.
 |  I am very sad that I feel my resignation is necessary |
Eriksson's future as England coach is in doubt after the FA called an urgent meeting following claims he deceived them over his affair with Faria Alam.
Palios resigned on Sunday following fresh allegations the FA offered the News of the World details of Eriksson's private life provided it kept quiet on the chief executive's relationship with Alam.
FA head of communications Colin Gibson, alleged to be the man who tried to make that deal, has also offered to step down.
Asked if Gibson, or chairman Geoff Thompson might face a similar fate to that of Palios, Davies said: "I'm not going into any of that."
A strategy meeting of leading figures within the beleaguered governing body will try to determine a short-term path out of the current crisis.
It is thought Eriksson's chances of surviving hinge on his explanation of what he meant to tell Davies during a fateful telephone conversation after the story first broke on 18 July.
Asked by Davies whether he was having an affair with Alam, Eriksson reportedly said "this is nonsense", which Davies took to mean it was not true.
However, the Swede has said since that he has never confirmed nor denied the affair - suggesting that his "nonsense" description merely referred to his personal life being dragged into the public domain.
So the central question appears to be whether Eriksson lied to his bosses and exposed them when they were forced to issue a retraction to their initial denial of the story.
An independent lawyer will lead the inquiry which started on Monday, with Eriksson due to give his evidence on Tuesday.
The lawyer will give his observations to the 12-man FA board on Thursday, leaving Eriksson's future in their hands.
Despite the disarray at Soho Square, Davies insists the FA will recover and is keen to start the ball rolling immediately.
"I understand the questions that are asked but it's not a time for those types of questions.
"We have a huge amount to look forward to and our job is to come through this difficult time and come through this together.
"I'm not saying no-one is blameless, no one person is more important than the game we serve.
"We've had problems and we'll deal with them. We have a highly talented leadership team and, with them, my job will be that we go forward and bring people together at a difficult time.
"It is a game people care for passionately and we have a responsibility to sort out these problems and come through this period."
MMIX
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
Football's future
