Sven-Goran Eriksson has ducked the issue of his future as England coach ahead of the crunch Euro 2004 qualifier with Turkey in Istanbul.

Further speculation about Eriksson was fuelled when a journalist from his native Sweden claimed he had signed a pre-contract deal with Chelsea and would quit his England role after tonight's match.

Eriksson was presented with the perfect opportunity at the pre-match press conference to give assurances that he would be at the helm with England long term.

But he again declined the chance to dispel the growing feeling that he will be heading for Stamford Bridge as Claudio Ranieri's replacement at some stage in the future.

That theory has been in place ever since Eriksson was photographed going into a meeting with Chelsea's multi-millionaire owner Roman Abramovich in the summer.

The first attempt to ask Eriksson about his plans was swiftly blocked by the Football Association's Adrian Bevington, who told journalists: ''We are sticking with football. If it upsets people, I am sorry.''

But gradually Eriksson came out with some sort of response to questions, although he avoided the stream of verbal bouncers aimed at him with relative ease.

First of all he was asked: ''Will you see your contract through?'' His response: ''If you take the position I had one week ago, then nothing has changed. I think we shouldn't talk about that just before the Turkey game.''

He was asked to give assurances on his future. The reply: ''It is becoming a rumour. From whoever it has come this time, I have no idea and in the past I've no idea. Nothing has changed today.''

Eriksson even claimed that ''he still enjoyed the job as much as when he first started'' but he was unconvincing and accepts that he will come in for fierce criticism if England are beaten in Turkey.

He said: ''Every time you lose a game in this job you are slaughtered but I have to accept that.''

Later Eriksson's business manager Athole Still issued a categorical denial of reports suggesting the Swede had signed a pre-contract agreement with Chelsea.

Still said: ''I am Sven's exclusive manager and I have never, at any time, spoken to or negotiated with anybody either from Chelsea or representing Chelsea - so there is no pre-contract agreement.''

Skipper David Beckham refused to be drawn on the future of Eriksson although it is evident that the bond between the pair and the squad has increased this week with the coach's support in the Rio Ferdinand row.

Beckham said: ''I am not going to go into it. I don't think it's right.''