The Swede is being strongly tipped to take over Mexico but his record in charge of England, Lazio, Manchester City and Benfica has not been enough to quash support for Jesus Ramirez, who is in temporary charge following the sacking of Hugo Sanchez.

And the likes of the experienced PSV Eindhoven defender Carlos Salcido have called for a Mexican to be appointed.

Salcido, who has 50 caps for his country, told a press conference ahead of next week's friendly against Argentina: "I like someone who knows the league.

"We, the Mexicans, are very difficult, very different and we need a coach that comes and let us play freely.

"If Eriksson comes, that's all right, but for the little time that we have (ahead the World Cup), we can't wait until then to see what happens.

"He is capable, but we'd have to see how he adapts. If he does it quickly everything is profit, but it took me three or four months for me to adapt (to Dutch football)."

After the Argentina game in San Diego on June 4, Mexico have just one more friendly - against Peru in Chicago on June 8 - before their first World Cup qualifiers, back to back matches against Belize later next month.

Deportivo La Coruna winger Andres Guardado gave his backing to Ramirez.

Nicknamed 'Chucho', Ramirez, who was in charge of Mexico Under-17s when they won the World Championship in 2005, was named interim coach on March 31 and oversaw a 1-0 win over China in an April friendly in Seattle.

"Chucho is being devalued," said Guardado.

"If they decide to bring in another coach that is another story. We have a boss and we are working with his ideas.

"Besides, if a European comes and doesn't speak our language, it would be nice to have someone who knows us as his advisor."

Toluca midfielder Antonio Naelson commented: "I think that changing coaches so quickly is not good for our football, but if he maintains the base and works hard maybe we could have better results.

"For now it's Chucho and we are all working to do things better in the future. I think that if the FA keeps him, things can get better."

Guadalajara's Gonzalo Pineda added: "I think that the best thing to do would be to bring someone experienced from the home environment.

"Besides, someone who has a lot of experience in Europe and has achieved important things doesn't know our football."

The American sports broadcaster, Fox Sports, did secure an interview with Eriksson but the Swede would only talk about Mexico in general terms.

"I think that the Mexican league is of very good quality," he said.

"I have seen some matches and the level was really good and more than 15 or 20 players are in Europe, in countries like Germany or Spain."

And Eriksson, expected to be sacked by Manchester City in the next few days, predicted a good performance at the 2010 World Cup.

"It is very difficult to say," he said.

"But I think that by working hard they could achieve the quarter-finals or the semi-final."