Eriksson's friend and leading agent Pini Zahavi has been quoted claiming the Swede told him "the whole story" - that England's disappointing campaign in Germany last summer was in part due to bad feeling in the squad about Beckham's superstar status.

Eriksson has insisted however he did not reveal details of squad morale to Zahavi.

A statement from Eriksson said: "Recent comments made by Pini Zahavi unfortunately convey the quite incorrect impression that I discussed confidential matters relating to England team selections, strategy and squad morale with him.

"I wish to deny this publicly in the strongest possible terms.

"The quotes attributed to Mr Zahavi are all clearly his own opinions and do not accurately reflect my own views."

In an interview with Hebrew language newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth, Zahavi said: "There was a big problem with jealousy at the World Cup - something no-one has ever talked about.

"A lot of people didn't like Beckham's position within the team. It was one of the biggest things that hurt England.

"A lot of players didn't like the 'super player' Beckham. They didn't like his status in the team.

"If Sven told the whole story of what went on in Germany - and I know the whole story because I have talked to him a lot - people would understand what happened.

"One of the main problems was Sven had too much respect for several players. If you look at it professionally, Beckham shouldn't have played at certain times. But Sven put him in anyway.

"Now, at least, all the players are equal under McClaren."

Zahavi also claimed Eriksson knows he made a mistake in not picking another striker in his squad. He chose to take teenager Theo Walcott and did not have enough cover when Michael Owen was injured.

He added: "England should have had one more forward at the World Cup because when Michael Owen got injured there was no one to replace him. I think looking back Eriksson knows that was a mistake."

Zahavi believes McClaren must drop Steven Gerrard or Frank Lampard because they cannot play successfully in the same team.

He added: "Lampard and Gerrard can't play together. It's a fact. Lampard can't shoot all the time in the national team like he does at Chelsea."

Zahavi also claimed England cannot afford to lose in Tel Aviv tomorrow following some disappointing recent results in their Euro 2008 qualifiers.

He said: "If England fail in Israel it will cause an earthquake in football.

"People say McClaren will stay if England lose but, in my opinion, they will drink his blood.

"They'll finish him once and for all. For England and McClaren it is a case of `To be or not to be'."