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Brown hails Sven's return to UK Brown hails Sven's return to UK
(about 3 hours later)
Gordon Brown appears keen to swap management tips with ex-England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson, who has made a surprise return to English football.Gordon Brown appears keen to swap management tips with ex-England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson, who has made a surprise return to English football.
Quizzed about Eriksson's latest job - at lowly Notts County - Mr Brown said it showed how important UK football is.Quizzed about Eriksson's latest job - at lowly Notts County - Mr Brown said it showed how important UK football is.
"People are prepared to take on even the most difficult jobs outside the Premier League," said Mr Brown."People are prepared to take on even the most difficult jobs outside the Premier League," said Mr Brown.
"Maybe he could invite me to a Notts County match and we could talk about it," added the PM."Maybe he could invite me to a Notts County match and we could talk about it," added the PM.
Mr Brown, who said he had known Mr Eriksson when he was England manager, was speaking at his final press conference before the summer recess.Mr Brown, who said he had known Mr Eriksson when he was England manager, was speaking at his final press conference before the summer recess.
He added that he would spend part of the recess catching up on the summer's sporting events.He added that he would spend part of the recess catching up on the summer's sporting events.
'Great sporting occasions'
The prime minster, who before he entered Number 10 used to take his summer holidays in America, said he would be spending his break in the UK.
The idea that people are taking 82 days holiday is wrong Gordon Brown
He said: "I am looking forward to a holiday with my children and it will be in this country not abroad.
"As for what I want to do, I want to watch a lot of sport because this has been a great summer of sport and I have missed too much of it.
"A great Wimbledon with Andy Murray almost getting to the final, we had the British Lions tour where they brilliantly won the third match and we have a got a cricket team that is doing brilliantly well.
"I want a chance to watch some of these great sporting occasions over the next few weeks. That I think is what I will be spending my time doing."
It is thought Mr Brown will be taking a short break in the Lake District.
Summer recess
Mr Brown laughed off a suggestion he was nervous about leaving Business Secretary Lord Mandelson, seen by many at Westminster as his effective deputy, in charge while he is away.
He said a succession of senior ministers - including Commons Leader Harriet Harman and Chancellor Alistair Darling - would also take their turn at running the country in his absence.
He also defended defended Parliament's 82-day summer recess, insisting that MPs would spend "most of the time" working.
Tory leader David Cameron has said the summer recess brings Parliament "into disrepute" and it should be cut, while Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg said MPs should remain at Westminster until they have "cleaned-up" their expenses system.
But Mr Brown hit back at suggestions that MPs were simply on holiday, insisting they are "working in their constituencies for most of that time".
He said: "An MP's job is to be both a constituency representative and to be someone who votes and discusses these matters in the House of Commons.
"If an MP's job was only to be in the Commons then you would have a case. But an MP's job is also to be in the constituency, and listening to people. The idea that people are taking 82 days holiday is wrong.
"I am having a few days' holiday, and I am getting on with the job."