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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Eriksson link to West Ham denied | Eriksson link to West Ham denied |
| (19 minutes later) | |
| Sven-Goran Eriksson's agent has denied the Swede is being lined up as the next West Ham boss after he met two men who are seen as key to a possible buy-out. | Sven-Goran Eriksson's agent has denied the Swede is being lined up as the next West Ham boss after he met two men who are seen as key to a possible buy-out. |
| Eriksson dined with Eli Papoushado, who wants to finance Kia Joorabchian's bid, and agent Pini Zahavi in Israel. | Eriksson dined with Eli Papoushado, who wants to finance Kia Joorabchian's bid, and agent Pini Zahavi in Israel. |
| But Eriksson's agent Athole Still told BBC Five Live: "It is absolute rubbish. West Ham was not even mentioned in the time they were together." | But Eriksson's agent Athole Still told BBC Five Live: "It is absolute rubbish. West Ham was not even mentioned in the time they were together." |
| Eriksson is ready to return to work after leaving his England post in July. | Eriksson is ready to return to work after leaving his England post in July. |
| Joorabchian is coming under pressure to announce whether he intends to pursue his takeover at Upton Park. | Joorabchian is coming under pressure to announce whether he intends to pursue his takeover at Upton Park. |
| The Iranian-born businessman declared his interest in buying out West Ham in September but so far a bid has failed to materialise. | The Iranian-born businessman declared his interest in buying out West Ham in September but so far a bid has failed to materialise. |
| However, Joorabchian was seen as instrumental in bringing Argentine internationals Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano to the club this summer. | However, Joorabchian was seen as instrumental in bringing Argentine internationals Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano to the club this summer. |
| Joorabchin (right) brought Mascherano to Upton Park | Joorabchin (right) brought Mascherano to Upton Park |
| He has also reportedly lined up financial backing from Israeli businessman Papoushado, who could supply a large share of the £100m he needs to try to acquire the club. | He has also reportedly lined up financial backing from Israeli businessman Papoushado, who could supply a large share of the £100m he needs to try to acquire the club. |
| Papoushado met Zahavi and Eriksson at the weekend before going on to meet Joorabchian in London. | Papoushado met Zahavi and Eriksson at the weekend before going on to meet Joorabchian in London. |
| Zahavi, who set up a meeting between Roman Abramovich and Eriksson when the Russian took over at Chelsea, is understood to be coordinating Joorabchian's takeover plans. | Zahavi, who set up a meeting between Roman Abramovich and Eriksson when the Russian took over at Chelsea, is understood to be coordinating Joorabchian's takeover plans. |
| It is purely coincidental that he was with someone, who may or may not be behind an offer for West Ham Sven-Goran Eriksson's agentAthole Still | It is purely coincidental that he was with someone, who may or may not be behind an offer for West Ham Sven-Goran Eriksson's agentAthole Still |
| However, Eriksson's agent Still insisted the meeting between Eriksson and Papoushado was a private matter. | However, Eriksson's agent Still insisted the meeting between Eriksson and Papoushado was a private matter. |
| "It is ridiculous to make these assertions," Still said. "Sven was in Israel at the personal invitation of Eli. | "It is ridiculous to make these assertions," Still said. "Sven was in Israel at the personal invitation of Eli. |
| "It was a purely private visit to see Maccabi Haifa playing. It is purely coincidental that he was with someone, who may or may not be behind an offer for West Ham." | "It was a purely private visit to see Maccabi Haifa playing. It is purely coincidental that he was with someone, who may or may not be behind an offer for West Ham." |
| Although Still denied Eriksson is being lined up for a role at West Ham, Still said the former England manager wants to return to management - although it is unlikely to be in the UK. | |
| The Swede has been linked with Benfica and Inter Milan but has been out of work since stepping down from his England post after the World Cup. | The Swede has been linked with Benfica and Inter Milan but has been out of work since stepping down from his England post after the World Cup. |
| "Sven is very keen to get back into football," said Still. | "Sven is very keen to get back into football," said Still. |
| "If a club had the financial muscle to get into the Champions League then a deal could be done." | "If a club had the financial muscle to get into the Champions League then a deal could be done." |
| West Ham boss Alan Pardew is facing increasing pressure after he saw his team slide to an eighth straight defeat on Tuesday - against Chesterfield in the Carling Cup. | West Ham boss Alan Pardew is facing increasing pressure after he saw his team slide to an eighth straight defeat on Tuesday - against Chesterfield in the Carling Cup. |
| Hammers chairman Terence Brown has publicly backed Pardew but is understood to be keen to end the uncertainty caused by the takeover speculation. | Hammers chairman Terence Brown has publicly backed Pardew but is understood to be keen to end the uncertainty caused by the takeover speculation. |
| Icelandic businessman Eggert Magnusson has also launched a £75m takeover but West Ham have yet to respond to his bid. | Icelandic businessman Eggert Magnusson has also launched a £75m takeover but West Ham have yet to respond to his bid. |