Former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson believes that the Football Association should delay announcing the new Three Lions boss until after the European Championships.

The overwhelming favourite to take the full-time position is Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp, but Eriksson believes that the 65-year-old's focus will be on Spurs' Premier League campaign.

"It is not long to prepare," said Eriksson. "If we are talking about Harry Redknapp he will be fully busy with Tottenham until the end of the season trying to be second or third, playing Champions League football.

"If Harry takes it at the end of the season to take them into the Euros, it is not the perfect situation for him because of the time.

"If he takes the job it would be better, in my opinion, that he takes it after the Euros, then he has two years building up to the World Cup."

The out-of-work Swedish coach, who has declared himself available for the Chelsea managerial vacancy, has also left himself open for a return to the England coaching role.

"Me? I would take it tomorrow so take me tomorrow!" Eriksson added. "But it will not happen. That would be considered among the press as going backwards."

Eriksson spent five years with the national side.