Eriksson flattered by offer

The club's acting chief executive, Paul Smith, dismissed reports the England coach had been offered an �18m deal.

Eriksson has been persistently linked with taking over Chelsea in 2004.

Earlier on Monday Eriksson said he would decide whether to stay as England boss before the Euro 2004 finals begin in Portugal.

Eriksson has been offered a two-year contract extension by the Football Association which would take him through to 2008.

He has been widely tipped to take over from Claudio Ranieri at Stamford Bridge, but Chelsea chief executive Smith vehemently denied the Blues were interested.

"There's no interest in Eriksson and we've not even had one conversation about him," Smith told the London Evening Standard newspaper.

We want Claudio in charge at the start of next season Chelsea chief exec Paul Smith

"There's no substance to this story.

"If there was anything in it, I'd know about it.

"It's just the same old story. I think it was written to tie in with the Euro 2004 draw."

Ranieri guided Chelsea to a 1-0 win over Manchester United on Sunday which took them to the top of the table.

And Smith said that billionaire owner Roman Abramovich was delighted with the way Ranieri was managing his expensively-assembled side.

"How can you criticise Claudio?" demanded Smith.

"We are top of the league and through to the last 16 of the Champions League.

"It would be very difficult to criticise Claudio even if you wanted to.

"Everyone at the club is very happy with the work he's been doing and we want him in charge at the start of next season.

"We're going to carry on as we are."

Eriksson to seal future by June

Eriksson earlier said he would decide whether to extend his England contract before the Euro 2004 finals in Portugal.

The Swede, whose current deal runs out in 2006, has been offered an extension until 2008.

I don't think you'll find a single Chelsea fan saying they'd prefer Sven to Claudio From Jim Bob Have your say on 606

But Eriksson told The Sun newspaper: "It will be sorted before Euro 2004, but I haven't decided whether it will be tomorrow or in three months.