Sven-Goran Eriksson is in talks with Ivory Coast about coaching the team at the World Cup finals in June. If he does take charge, the former England manager will pit his wits against Brazil, Portugal and North Korea in the group stage.

Eriksson was present at the Elephants' 2-0 defeat to South Korea in a friendly at Loftus Road last week. And although president Jacques Anouma denied after the game that they had contacted the Swede, the Ivorian football federation released a statement on their website confirming the 62-year-old Eriksson is very much a candidate.

It read: "Ivorian federation directors, who are looking for a coach to lead the Elephants of the Ivory Coast, have had discussions with coach Sven-Goran Eriksson, who showed his desire to lead the Ivorian team in the 2010 World Cup."

Eriksson, whose last stint in management was at the helm of Mexico, left his position as the director of football at Notts County last month. The former Manchester City manager walked away from the role just seven months into a five-year contract following the club's takeover.

Guus Hiddink is also in the frame to coach Ivory Coast in South Africa, although the former Chelsea manager is contracted to Russia until the end of June and is due to become manager of Turkey in August.

Ivory Coast sacked Vahid Halilhodzic after a disappointing African Nations Cup campaign and were under the guidance of acting coach Kouadio Georges in midweek. Anouma has previously indicated Halilhodzic's successor will be appointed next week.