Poland consider Sven Goran-Eriksson after sacking coach

Sven-Goran Eriksson is on the short-list to take charge of Poland after coach Waldemar Fornalik was sacked today.

Poland’s chances of qualifying for next year’s World Cup ended with a 1‑0 defeat to Ukraine last week but Fornalik was spared the axe until after last night’s game at Wembley. The 2-0 defeat to England left Poland fourth in Group H with 13 points from 10 games.

Fornalik was appointed in July last year after Franciszek Smuda was axed following his side’s a dismal performance at Euro 2012, which Poland co-hosted with Ukraine.

Former England coach Eriksson is among the candidates to replace Fornalik.

The Swede is only five months into his job as manager of Guangzhou R&F, who are fifth in the Chinese Super League, and he is under contract until December next year.

Although he took England to the quarter-finals of the 2002 and 2006 World Cups, an ill-fated spell with Mexico ended with his dismissal in 2009. He also led the Ivory Coast on a short‑term deal at the 2010 World Cup but the African side failed to get out of their difficult group.

Meanwhile, Igor Stimac was also sacked today after Croatia scraped into the play-offs.

The former West Ham defender had offered to resign after last night’s 2-0 defeat to Scotland.

Former Croatia midfielder Niko Kovac has taken charge of the side, who have taken only one point from their last four qualifiers.