BBC SPORT | Football | Internationals | Eriksson drops big Hiddink hint

Eriksson told diners in a Stockholm restaurant that the PSV Eindhoven and Australia coach will succeed him when he leaves after the World Cup.

When asked by a couple, Eriksson reportedly said: "It will be Hiddink, and good luck to him."

Eriksson's indiscretion comes in the wake of his alleged remarks to an undercover newspaper reporter.

Eriksson was back in his native Sweden to receive an award from King Carl Gustav for his contribution to sport.

The Sun newspaper reports that Eriksson was dining with his partner in Stockholm's Den Vassa Eggen restaurant.

Eriksson reportedly waved away an approach from a reporter, saying: "Please, I don't want to talk about football tonight because I want to have a whisky."

But when asked by a couple of fellow diners about the England situation, he dropped his Hiddink hint.

Eriksson's remarks will be another source of embarrassment to the Football Association who are still reeling at the England coach's revelations to the so-called fake sheikh.

As a result of his remarks, Eriksson will step down from the England post after this summer's World Cup.

The FA insist it has not selected Eriksson's successor, although Hiddink's name has been strongly linked with the job.

Hiddink guided South Korea to the semi-finals of the last World Cup, and in his part-time role as Australia's coach has masterminded the Socceroos to this year's finals.