The Football Association yesterday revealed their wish to keep Sven-Goran Eriksson as England head coach for as long as possible, and confirmed they have offered the Swede a new four-year contract.

Eriksson has been made the offer in the last few days, but the FA are expecting lengthy discussions to take place before any agreement is reached.

His current contract, reported to be worth £2m a year, expires after the 2006 World Cup. Since becoming England coach in 2001, he has been linked with jobs at several clubs, notably Chelsea, although the FA insist that is not the reason the new offer has been made.

They point to the fact that under Eriksson's command England have lost only one competitive match - the World Cup quarter-final against Brazil - and qualified unbeaten for the Euro 2004 finals.

The offer was revealed following an FA board meeting, and it was also announced that Trevor Brooking has been appointed to a senior post and that marketing and communications director Paul Barber is to leave the organisation.

FA chief executive Mark Palios said: ''Sven is England's most successful coach since the legendary Sir Alf Ramsey.

''He has already contributed enormously to the reputation of England in Europe and around the world. This offer shows the faith we all have in him.''

As well as Brooking's appointment as director of football development, the Daily Mail's sports editor Colin Gibson is to take over as the FA's communications director in January.

Regarding Eriksson, the FA say there is no pressure on the England boss to come to a decision quickly.

FA head of media relations Adrian Bevington said: ''There is no deadline for when an agreement has to be reached, because Sven is already under contract until the summer of 2006.''

Brooking, the ex-West Ham and England midfielder who is also a former chairman of Sport England, will join the FA in January in a brand new position - overseeing the game from international level down to junior park football.

He will be supported by Les Reed as acting technical director and will work closely with Eriksson, who said: ''I have tremendous respect for Trevor Brooking.

''I remember him as an exceptional player for both his club and country.

''Most recently, I have met Trevor on many occasions at West Ham and England matches. It is clear that he has an excellent understanding of football and is committed to the game at all levels. I am very much looking forward to working closely with him.''

Brooking, who is currently involved with West Ham as a director and was caretaker manager until recently, described it as ''an opportunity I could not miss''.

He added: ''Leaving West Ham will be a huge wrench, but my family and I knew very quickly I was taking the right decision.

''Everybody knows my passion for English football at all levels. It will be a wonderful challenge to share this passion with the whole football community.''

Other decisions at the meeting were to give David Davies new responsibilities as executive director. His task will be liaising with the football community, including the clubs, at home and abroad on the issues facing the FA and to support the FA chairman in maintaining relationships with UEFA and FIFA.