The pair have worked together - in particular to help win the Olympics - and Caborn was explicit in his backing of Sven.

"Sven has always been extremely helpful to me," commented Caborn, speaking on BBC Radio FIVE LIVE.

"He was helpful in securing David Beckham going to help us to win the Olympics. From my point of view as a Sports Minister, he’s always been extremely helpful in whatever I’ve asked him to do.

"My view is that I work with professional people, Sven’s a very professional person. He has been very professional and very good."