IT is fair to say that the English are not overly fond of Sven Goran Eriksson at the moment.

During his reign as the England football coach, he has slowly but surely become someone we don't really trust.

From his affair with Ulrika Jonsson, his cloak and dagger dealings with Chelsea, to his ill-fated and shockingly nave discussions with the News of the World's fake Sheikh, his credibility has slipped steadily away.

To steal a phrase from the world of politics, there is something of the night about Sven.

Is it the media's fault, as he suggests? To some extent, perhaps, because there isn't an England manager in the recent past who has escaped the often ridiculous excesses of the national press.

But Sven is magnificently rewarded for coping with the intrusive spotlight. And had he been more straightforward and honourable in his dealings, he would not have run so blindly into the traps.

From our perspective, we do not believe that he has covered himself in glory - far from it.

But the English are a notoriously fickle people, especially when it comes to sport.

And if England win the World Cup in Germany this summer, what's the betting that the headlines will be calling for Sven to have a change of heart and stay on as national coach?

All the skullduggery and indiscretions will be forgotten and Sven will be our hero.