SWEDISH soccer coach Sven Goran Eriksson last night accepted the England manager's job.

The coach of Rome side Lazio had been one of the favourites to become Kevin Keegan's successor as England coach.

But last night the decision to make him the first non-English manager of the national side received a mixed response.

Italian news agency Ansa said the 52-year-old had signed a contract which would begin on July 1, 2001.

The job became vacant when former Newcastle United boss Keegan sensationally quit after his team were beaten by Germany in their opening World Cup qualifying game at Wembley earlier this month.

Immediately there was a groundswell of support for former England boss Terry Venables, but it quickly became clear that his colourful business record would count against him in the eyes of the men who run the Football Association.

Other names linked to the job included current Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger and former Switzerland national coach Roy Hodgson.

The saga took another twist little more than a week ago when the FA asked Newcastle United manager Bobby Robson, himself a former England boss, to become caretaker while the search for a permanent replacement took place.

Magpies chairman Freddy Shepherd refused to release him and the FA put Leicester City manager Peter Taylor, a former England Under-21 coach, and Manchester United coach Steve McClaren in charge for the forthcoming friendly with Italy on November 15.

Last night, football pundit Lawrie McMenemy, who is from the North-East, said that it was a sign of the times that with so many foreign players now plying their trade in English football, the national team should appoint a non-English coach.

Graham Kelly, former FA chief executive, said: "I was really in favour of the best man being appointed and I thought that was Terry Venables.

"Once he was ruled out I was happy to go for Roy Hodgson.

"I think it depends on results - if Eriksson gets off to a flying start it will be a good decision. He will bring a more modern approach.