CHARLTON chief executive Peter Varney believes manager Alan Curbishley might decline the opportunity of succeeding Sven-Goran Eriksson as England coach.

As the clamour increases for the job to go to an Englishman if, as expected, Eriksson leaves after next year’s World Cup, Curbishley and Bolton’s Sam Allardyce have emerged as leading contenders.

However, Mr Varney cited media intrusion into Curbishley’s family life among the reasons why he might decline.

He said: "We at Charlton are honoured that our manager is being mentioned in connection with the England job because it reflects greatly on the club.

"But Alan would not welcome the kind of media intrusion into his family life which seems to go with the territory when someone takes the England job.

"There is also the day-to-day involvement with players which Alan loves and which you don’t get when you take charge of a national side.

"We hope he stays at Charlton because there is a big job to be done here as the club continues to grow. But at the end of the day, it will be Alan’s decision."

Curbishley has 18 months of his present contract remaining and Charlton plc chairman Richard Murray disclosed last month that he has opened negotiations to extend the deal.