BLACKBURN Rovers insisted today that Sven Goran Eriksson will become the new Ewood Park chief in July.

A report in one national newspaper claimed that Rovers had lost out to Rome giants Lazio in the battle for the Swedish coach.

But angry Rovers chairman Robert Coar blasted: "As far as we are concerned Sven Goran Eriksson will be our new manager. We have an agreement with Sven that he is coming to us.

"In fact, I have spoken at length with Sven in the last 48 hours and he has had NO change of heart.

"The national newspapers, as ever, are trying to create mischief. It is pretty obvious what they are up to. They are short of a bit of news this weekend so they are recycling old rumours.

"Maybe people in Italy are also trying to undermine the deal. But nothing has changed as far as Blackburn are concerned."

Eriksson, chasing the Serie A title with Sampdoria, reiterated his position today and said: "I made a commitment, as Blackburn did five or six weeks ago, and nothing has changed.

"I haven't had contact with any other club." But despite the denials from Rovers and Eriksson, the Italian press continue to speculate that the Samp boss has had second thoughts about coming to England.

A determining factor, they say, is the success he is now enjoying with Sampdoria who are pushing Juve hard in Serie A.

This has made him the prime target of Lazio president Sergio Cragnotti, a business magnate who intends to propel Lazio on to the centre stage of Italian football.

He is reported today in a national newspaper as saying: "I am 100 per cent certain Eriksson will join us.

"We have even talked about signing new players for next season."

The Rome-based Corriere dello Sport said they are "99 per cent sure" that Eriksson will link up with Lazio next season, NOT Blackburn. But Sampdoria sources are more cautious, suggesting that nothing can be sure until Eriksson meets up with Rovers officials which they say will happen in the next few days.

Another report in a national newspaper today also claimed that Rovers are set to lose out to Premiership rivals Arsenal in a bid to land £3 million Polish international Marek Citko.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has reportedly been alerted to the fact that Blackburn have not yet cemented the signing and he is ready to move in.

Mr Coar responded: "We still expect to sign Citko when the relevant red tape is completed. I've heard nothing to suggest that he is going anywhere else."

Rovers B team entertain Chester City A at Brockhall tomorrow. The A team travel to meet Bolton Wanderers A.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.