Sven-Goran Eriksson’s Family Thanks Football for Incredible Support

The family of Sven-Goran Eriksson has expressed their gratitude to the football community for making his final months truly memorable.

The Swedish football legend, known for his stint as England’s first overseas manager from 2001 to 2006, passed away on Monday at the age of 76, surrounded by his loved ones. Earlier this year, in January, Eriksson revealed his diagnosis of pancreatic cancer and shared that he was given “best case” a year to live.

This revelation prompted an outpouring of love and support from the football world, including the opportunity for Eriksson to manage his beloved Liverpool in a charity match at Anfield in March.

In a statement, his children Lina and Johan said, “Dad told us at the beginning of this year about his serious illness and received an amazing response from friends and football fans across Europe. He was invited to several football teams in England, Italy, Portugal, and Sweden.

“They shared their love for football and for dad. It was unforgettable for both him and us. He expressed his appreciation and joy and stated that such beautiful words are usually only uttered when someone has died.”

Eriksson admitted that he had shed tears before and after the Liverpool ‘Legends’ match, remarking, “To sit on the bench for Liverpool, that’s been my dream my whole life. Now it happened, and it was a beautiful day in all meanings.

“It’s a good finish, to finish with Liverpool, it can’t be much better than that.”

Eriksson led England to the quarter-finals of three major tournaments in succession, including the World Cups of 2002 and 2006. His appointment followed a successful career in club management, particularly in Italy, where he won a Serie A and cup double with Lazio, as well as the European Cup Winners’ Cup.

He returned to the World Cup with Ivory Coast in 2010 and also managed Manchester City and Leicester City, along with various other stints in different countries throughout his lengthy career.

During his time in England, Eriksson was often in the headlines, not just for his football management but also due to his private life, which was a constant source of fascination for the media.

Football Association chief executive Mark Bullingham paid tribute to Eriksson, who famously led England to a 5-1 win over Germany in a World Cup qualifier in Munich in September 2001.

“This is a very sad day. He gave all England fans such special memories. No one can ever forget the 5-1 victory in Munich against Germany under Sven’s guidance,” Bullingham said.

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

“On behalf of my colleagues at the FA, past and present, our thoughts are with his friends and family today. He will be much missed, and we will pay tribute to him when we play Finland at Wembley next month.”

The Prince of Wales, the FA’s patron, described Eriksson as “a true gentleman of the game.”

Eriksson took on the England job after Kevin Keegan resigned following a World Cup qualifying defeat to Germany in the last match played at the old Wembley Stadium.

The Swede took over a team regarded as England’s ‘Golden Generation,’ featuring stars like David Beckham, Paul Scholes, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Michael Owen, and eventually, Wayne Rooney.

They were defeated 2-1 by eventual winners Brazil at the 2002 World Cup finals in Japan and South Korea, and were twice eliminated by Portugal in penalty shootouts at Euro 2004 and the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

Eriksson’s life and career are the subjects of a new Amazon Prime Video documentary, which was released on Friday.

“I hope you will remember me as a positive guy trying to do everything he could do,” he told the documentary’s creators when asked about his legacy.

“Don’t be sorry, smile. Thank you for everything, coaches, players, the crowds, it’s been fantastic. Take care of yourself and take care of your life. And live it.”

Eriksson first enjoyed coaching success in Sweden, leading IFK Gothenburg to the 1982 UEFA Cup. He then moved to Portugal to manage Benfica, where he won consecutive top-flight titles in 1983 and 1984. During his second stint with Benfica from 1989 to 1992, he led the team to the 1990 European Cup final and the 1991 Portuguese league title.

Aside from his successful tenure at Lazio, he also managed Roma, Sampdoria, and Fiorentina. In 2007, he was appointed manager of Manchester City, finishing in ninth position in his sole season in charge. He left City in June 2008, just months before the club’s transformation under Sheikh Mansour’s ownership.

Eriksson also had a stint in charge of Leicester and served as director of football at Notts County.

Source: PA Wire