London  - Former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson on Wednesday denied reports he was negotiating to coach North Korea at next summer's World Cup finals.

"I don't have any offer and I have no plans to be manager, or whatever it is, for North Korea, absolutely not," he said, insisting he planned to stay on as director of football at League Two side Notts County.

The rumours originated as a report in Wednesday's Guardian, and it seems that North Korea did make a initial approach, but were rebuffed before a offer could be made.  dpa