Former England Manager Sven-Goran Eriksson Dies at 76

Swedish football manager Sven-Goran Eriksson, who coached England from 2001 to 2006, passed away Monday at the age of 76 after battling pancreatic cancer, according to his agent.

“He passed away peacefully this morning with his family around him at his home,” said Eriksson’s agent Bo Gustavsson.

The Swede, known for managing high-profile teams and taking England to the World Cup quarter-finals in 2002 and 2006, announced in February 2023 that he was stepping back from public life due to health issues.

This January, he shared with public broadcaster Sveriges Radio that he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, with doctors predicting “at best maybe a year, at worst a little less.”

“He has for a long time fought bravely with his illness, but now it came to an end,” his children Lina and Johan Eriksson said in a statement.

After revealing his illness, Eriksson received overwhelming support from friends and football fans throughout Europe. He was invited to visit teams in England, Italy, Portugal, and Sweden, where people expressed their admiration and love for both football and him.

“I get to hear it while I’m alive and I’m incredibly grateful for that,” Eriksson said during his final days. “I have had the best job in the world and I was happy every day for long periods. It’s been fantastic.”

Born on February 5, 1948, in Sunne in western Sweden, Eriksson found success as a football manager after a modest career as a defender. In 1977, he became the manager of Swedish club Degerfors IF.

After guiding the club to success in lower divisions, he caught the attention of bigger clubs. He went on to manage Sweden’s IFK Goteborg before moving abroad to Benfica in Portugal and several Italian teams, including Roma and Lazio.

“Thank you for everything you have done for us, coach,” Lazio shared on social media.

Eriksson’s most notable role came as the first foreigner to manage England’s national team. Under his leadership, England reached the World Cup quarter-finals in 2002, only to be knocked out by Brazil.

They also reached the last eight four years later, where Portugal emerged victorious in a penalty shootout. During the game, Wayne Rooney was famously sent off following a clash with Cristiano Ronaldo.

Eriksson also guided England to the quarter-finals of the 2004 Euros, where Portugal once again knocked them out in another penalty shootout. He concluded his tenure with England in 2006.

“This is a very sad day. He gave all England fans such special memories,” Mark Bullingham, CEO of England’s Football Association, said in a statement.

“Sven will be rightly recognised and forever remembered for his significant work with the England team and for his wider contribution to the game,” Bullingham continued.

The FA plans to pay tribute to the former manager during England’s match against Finland at Wembley Stadium on September 10, Bullingham disclosed.

Britain’s Prince William, who met Eriksson several times in his role as president of the English Football Association, praised the late manager’s charisma and passion for the sport.

“My thoughts are with his family and friends. A true gentleman of the game,” Prince William posted.

In Sweden, premier league teams will don black armbands in their matches this week as part of the tributes, according to Swedish news agency TT.

After his tenure with England, Eriksson went on to manage international teams like Mexico, Ivory Coast, and the Philippines, though he never took charge of Sweden’s national squad.

In March, Eriksson achieved one of his lifelong dreams by managing English club Liverpool, albeit in a special context.

Alongside former favourites Ian Rush, John Barnes, and John Aldridge in the home dugout, he managed Liverpool Legends in a charity match against Ajax Legends, leading his team to a 4-2 victory.

Eriksson later confessed to shedding tears before kick-off, particularly moved by the standing ovation he received as he walked onto the pitch, with fans singing ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone.’

“That will be a huge memory in life,” Eriksson said. “Absolutely beautiful.”

Source: AFP, Sveriges Radio, TT