Sven-Goran Eriksson, the man once widely tipped to replace Claudio Ranieri as Chelsea's manager this summer, yesterday praised the Italian for his club's performance this season and the way he has handled all the speculation over his future.
England's coach said: "It has been a difficult season but I must say he has done a great job. Second in the league and reaching the semis in the Champions League - it has been a great season.
"But I think he is used to this [speculation]. He is Italian and every day in Italy there are rumours. I think he is handling it very well."
Chelsea's captain Marcel Desailly has expressed his sympathy for Ron Atkinson, who lost his job as a commentator for BBC and columnist for the Guardian because of racist remarks about the France centre-back, but says he has not received an apology.
"I have seen in the newspapers that he tried to talk to me but I haven't had any contact with him," Desailly said at the Laureus World Sports Awards.
"I don't forgive. If he has done a mistake, he's going to pay for it. He's done his mistake in front of everyone. I don't have anger and I will continue my life."
