Pino Pagliara, the agent at the centre of the corruption scandal engulfing English football, has claimed that he lied when he suggested that eight current and ex-Premier League managers took bribes.

In an investigation by The Telegraph, the Italian was filmed saying that he knew of top football managers who were 'bent', in a conversation with undercover reporters posing as a fake Far East firm with an interest in English football investments.

However, the 61-year-old has now said that he was lying in a bid to impress the bogus businessmen, who had reportedly offered him £400,000 to take up an advisory role with the fictitious company.

Pagliari told ITV News: "At 61 years old you don't get offers like that. I'm still waiting for my company car and I don't think I'll get it."

In a separate interview with BBC Sport, he said: "I allowed them to believe the managers would not drop the money on the floor if I gave it to them."

The scandal has led to Sam Allardyce leaving the role of England manager and Barnsley assistant boss Tommy Wright losing his job.