Terry wants both bosses to stay

John Terry today joined the England players' lobby for Sven-Goran Eriksson to stay as coach at least until next summer's European Championship finals.

Terry, who replaced the precluded Rio Ferdinand and was outstanding as England achieved the draw they needed to qualify, has a vested interest in the speculation that Eriksson will join Chelsea at some point since he plays for the Stamford Bridge club.

It is clear however, that Terry believes both Eriksson and Chelsea manager Claudio Ranieri should remain in their respective jobs for the foreseeable future.

"Sven is doing a great job for England and Claudio is doing a fantastic job at Chelsea," said the 22-year-old. "Hopefully it will remain that way for both."

There was increasing speculation before the match that Eriksson would resign if England lost and go to Chelsea but, when pressed on his future, the Swede stated it was his intention to carry on.

Eriksson is contracted until after the 2006 World Cup Finals but it is generally expected he will go next summer.

When asked persistently whether he would continue as England coach, he said: "As the situation is today, then yes."

The jubilant England players are in no doubt, however that Eriksson should carry on, despite the unsettling events of last week.

Eriksson had tacitly supported the players in their stance over Ferdinand and David James said today: "Mr Eriksson is employed by the FA and he had to be careful. He dealt with it in exactly the right way though.

"Saturday was one of the best moments in football for me and the coach has to take a lot of the credit for that."

Steven Gerrard is also an avid fan of Eriksson. "His record in important matches is phenomenal," he said.

"There's no one better to take us into a major tournament. We need him."