[Morrison]

http://www.teamtalk.com/teamtalk/New...103142,00.html

Sven-Goran Eriksson is now favourite to take over the Real Madrid reins after all their other managerial targets snubbed the club's advances.

The Swede, who is stepping down as England coach after this summer's World Cup, now appears to be the frontrunner to land one of Europe's most prestigious posts.

Real's primary choice, Carlo Ancelotti, has agreed a new one-year extension to his contract at AC Milan while Arsene Wenger and Rafael Benitez have publicly rejected the chance to move to the Bernabeu.

The other candidate on the shortlist, Juventus boss Fabio Capello, is expected to announce later this week that he will stay in Turin for at least another season.

Eriksson is now the hot favourite for the job he has long dreamed of - but may be tempted to lead South Africa.

It emerged on Tuesday that the 58-year-old is a target of the African nation to coach the side when they host the 2010 World Cup.

South Africa had a disastrous African Nations Cup in January, failing to win a single point, and they have parted company with interim coach Ted Dumitru.

Chief executive Danny Jordaan said: "Our performance in Egypt was miserable. We now need a strong plan and a coach who has been to the World Cup and understands the dynamics of the tournament.

"He must also start in 2006 to give him time to oversee the technical development of our football over the next four years."

Jordaan insisted Eriksson's salary should not be a deterrent - the Swede's earnings for England have been around £4million a year.

"The question is can we afford not to afford the best possible coach? It would be a footballing disaster if South Africa fail in 2010," said Jordaan.

"We can build the finest stadiums but people come to watch the football, not to admire the architecture. I don't think the size of a salary is a consideration."