Former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson has passed away at the age of 76 after battling a long illness.
The Swedish coach made history as England’s first foreign manager when he took charge in 2001. He guided a talented squad, often referred to as the “golden generation,” which included stars like David Beckham, Steven Gerrard, Wayne Rooney, and Frank Lampard.
During his tenure, Eriksson achieved notable success, including a memorable 5-1 victory against Germany in 2001. However, the team faced disappointing quarter-final exits in three major tournaments during his time in charge.
The Football Association announced that a tribute to Eriksson will take place in September when England hosts Finland in a Nations League match at Wembley.
In a recent documentary about his career titled Sven, Eriksson reflected on his illness and life, sharing poignant thoughts: “I had a good life. I think we are all scared of the day when we die, but life is about death as well. You have to learn to accept it for what it is.” He added, “Hopefully, at the end, people will say, ‘yeah, he was a good man,’ but not everyone will say that. I hope you will remember me as a positive guy trying to do everything he could.”
A family statement confirmed Eriksson’s passing: “After a long illness, Sven-Goran Eriksson died this morning at home surrounded by family.” His family requests privacy during this time and asks that condolences be left on their website.
Eriksson also had a successful coaching career with clubs including Benfica, Roma, Fiorentina, Sampdoria, Lazio, Manchester City, and Leicester City, leaving a lasting impact on the world of football.
Credit: Sky Sports
