Is Sven the No1 coach in the world?

The only manager with a 100 per cent return is Jacques Santini, who took over following France's disastrous World Cup. Since then, France have won all eight of their Euro 2004 qualifiers, but it is premature to laud Santini too highly since the opposition has been Slovenia, Israel, Cyprus and Malta. And the manager's mettle has yet to be tested in the finals of a major competition.

The only other two coaches unbeaten in competitive football have had similarly brief reigns - Karel Bruckner, of the Czech Republic, and Ricardo Lavolpe of Mexico. Statistics show Eriksson is the best of the rest, edging out Dick Advocaat (Netherlands), Senol Gunes (Turkey), Rudi Voller (Germany) and Carlos Alberto Parreira (Brazil), a World Cup winner in 1994 of course, with his record of 13 wins, five draws and just one defeat in 19 competitive matches.

That record shows a comprehensive understanding of what is involved in creating a successful international team. And, in a sport where a single season is now considered a long time, he is one of international football's longest-serving managers, having successfully negotiated two qualifying campaigns and led England to the last eight of the World Cup in Japan.

That was where he suffered his only defeat in a competitive match, at the hands of the eventual champions, Brazil.

Eriksson's strength clearly lies in his rapport with the players. They trust him to get things right when it matters. And, with the notable exception of the second half against Brazil, he has invariably got it right.

He has, of course, a good relationship with Beckham and the support of other influential figures in the England dressing room.

"The manager has stuck with us and that's what a manager is supposed to do," said Steven Gerrard. "I don't think there's anybody better than him for the job."

Statistics support Gerrard's claim and, if Eriksson is indeed the best man for the job, it's difficult to know why doubts persist about his suitability.

He's not English and for that reason many people, me included, wouldn't have appointed him in the first place, but in competitive football his record with England is practically unblemished.

But his links with Roman Abramovich at Chelsea have cast doubt on the depth of his commitment to Soho Square and the media intrusion into his private life have made him wonder whether an annual salary of £3million justifies the aggravation. He said, though, after the goalless draw with the Turks, that he'll still be in charge next summer.

I think it's inevitable that the bonds between Eriksson and his players will grow stronger as long as they keep winning.

His recently set record of eight straight wins in all games is unmatched by any previous England manager, although it is in the field of competitive football that the truly great coaches are judged.

Let's hope he can continue that kind of form in England's next competitive match - the opener in Portugal next June.

How the managers compare . . .

Coach/Manager Country P W D L

Carlos Alberto Parreira* Brazil 7 5 0 2
Jacques Santini France 8 8 0 0
Inaki Saez Spain 8 5 2 1
Marcelo Bielsa Argentina 27 17 5 5
Ricardo Lavolpe Mexico 5 4 1 0
ERIKSSON ENGLAND 19 13 5 1
Dick Advocaat* Holland 8 6 1 1
Senol Gunes Turkey 27 18 5 4
Karel Bruckner Czech Rep 8 7 1 0
Rudi Voller Germany 25 16 7 2

Bruce Arena USA 29 16 6 7
Giovanni Trapattoni Italy 20 12 5 3
Tommy Soderberg & Lars Lagerback Sweden 33 21 8 4
Mark Hughes Wales 21 6 7 8
Brian Kerr Rep Ireland 6 3 2 1
Berti Vogts Scotland 8 4 2 2
Sammy McIlroy N Ireland 18 3 5 10

Top 10 countries listed according to FIFA Rankings (USA, Italy, Sweden and British Isles teams are for comparison)

*Parreira (first spell in charge 91-94) 19 11 6 2
*Advocaat (first spell in charge 92-94) 17 11 3 3