NELSPRUIT Sven-Goran Eriksson bid farewell as coach of Ivory Coast on Friday after the team was eliminated from the World Cup.

Eriksson, who was appointed only three months ago, said continuing in the post had never been a discussion and that he had always planned to walk away after Ivory Coast was knocked out of the tournament in South Africa.

It was clear when I took the job that it was until the end of our World Cup and thats today, Eriksson said.

Eriksson coached England to the quarterfinals in the previous two World Cup tournaments, but Ivory Coast failed to qualify for the round of 16 despite beating North Korea 3-0 in its final game.

Eriksson enjoyed huge success early in his career as a coach after retiring as a player at the age of 27 due to a knee injury.

He took third-division Swedish side Degerfors into the top flight in three years and then moved to IFK Goteborg and won two league titles and a Swedish Cup, plus the 1982 UEFA Cup.

The success continued abroad as Eriksson won Portuguese titles with Benfica before moving to Italy for successful stints with AS Roma and Sampdoria.

Eriksson moved on to Lazio and capped his time in Italy with a Cup Winners Cup title and a league and cup double before taking the England job in 2001.

His time in charge of England was marred by revelations about his private life.

A season in charge at Manchester City followed before a move to Mexico and a surprise spell as director of football at English fourth-tier side Notts County. Eriksson said he did not know what his next move would be.

Ill stay (at the World Cup) some days looking at the football and then Ill probably go taking some holiday, he said. Then, well see. I dont know, something, hopefully. -AP