From today's NOTW:
CLUB ONE is a struggling Premiership outfit whose manager Eriksson labelled "the worst" at taking backhanders. (regular Backbeat readers will have a clue about this)
CLUB TWO is one of the country's most famous names whose boss Still accused of being involved in a big transfer "scam" .
CLUB THREE is another leading side which allegedly paid over the odds for players in "illegal deals".
The explosive claims of Eriksson and his agent came at meetings in Dubai with our reporter who was posing as a rich Arab. We were there to speak to him about a coaching role at a football academy but Sven suggested our man buy Aston Villa and agreed to run it.
In startling new revelations we can also reveal how Eriksson:
Dumped on Man United manager Alex Ferguson—accusing him of treating players like schoolboys—and also Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho.
Reporter: "Do managers always get involved with transfers?"
Sven: "Yeah (muffled) and of course they put money in their pocket (signals left hand in pocket to indicate backhanders)."
The discussion then turned to the manager of Club One. We cannot identity him or the club for legal reasons. We will call him Coach X.
Reporter: "There's a chap who comes on television, I always think he looks like a stereotypical dodgy manager, X. You see the way he comes across, he really does..."
Sven: "He's the worst."
Still (Eriksson's agent, Athole Still): "He's the worst?"
Reporter: "He's the most corrupt?"
Sven: "Yeah."
Still: "Can I tell you something? I've known X for 20 years. He is in many respects like a mate... (but) I've never done a deal...Do you know why? Because X knows that I'm not corrupt."
Still then went on to name a second manager—also a household name—whom he no longer deals with.
He accused the respected coach, who manages Club Two, of pulling "a big scam. Camouflage! A smoke screen!" over a bung attempt. Again, we cannot reveal the details.
In a different part of the conversation, Still named Club Three and said: "At the risk of being presumptuous, do not, I will not allow you to make the mistake that (Club Three) did and certain other clubs by paying far too much for certain players because of illegal deals with agents and managers, or even agents and chief executives, or even agents and chairmen. It's a cesspit!"