Swedish coach Sven-Goran Eriksson, who was England manager from 2001 to 2006, died on Monday aged 76 from pancreatic cancer, his agent Bob Gustavsson announced.
“He passed away peacefully this morning (Monday), surrounded by his family, at his home in Björkefors, near Sunne,” in western Sweden, Gustavsson said. “In the end it all happened very quickly,” the representative added.
“Svennis,” as he was known in his home country, had revealed last January that he was suffering from incurable pancreatic cancer. “At best, I have a year left. At worst, a little less,” he said in an interview with public broadcaster Radio Sweden.
Who is Sven-Goran Eriksson?
Eriksson had left his position as sporting director of the modest Swedish club Karlstad last year, citing health problems, the last stage of a long and fruitful career that began in the late 1970s in his home country.
After winning the league and a UEFA Cup with Swedish side Gothenburg, he moved to Benfica, with whom he won three leagues and from there he moved to Italy, where he spent most of his career with clubs such as Roma, Fiorentina, Sampdoria and Lazio, with whom he won a league, several cups and another UEFA.
Eriksson also played in English football (Manchester City, Leicester) and was the first non-British manager to manage the English national team.
He also managed the national teams of Mexico, Ivory Coast and the Philippines, as well as trying out in the Chinese and Thai leagues.
Since going public with his illness, Eriksson has received several public tributes, both in his home country and in other countries where he has trained, such as the United Kingdom and Italy.
The Prince of Wales’s farewell to Italian football
Prince William of Wales has remembered former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson as “a true gentleman” in a post on social media. The eldest son of King Charles III posted the message on his account shortly after the death of the former England manager was announced.
“I am saddened to hear of the passing of Sven-Goran Eriksson. I met him several times as England manager and was always struck by his charisma and passion for the game. My thoughts are with his family and friends. A true gentleman of football,” the Prince said in his personal tribute.
Several football teams published farewell messages to the legendary coach
“Thank you for everything you’ve done for us, mister,” Lazio posted on social media, bidding farewell to one of the most important figures in its history.
“Fiorentina is deeply saddened by the family and mourns the passing of Sven Göran Eriksson. The Swedish coach was the Viola’s coach from 1987 to 1989,” said Fiorentina.
Roma also expressed their regret at the passing of Sven Goran Eriksson. He managed the Giallorossi from 1984 to 1987, winning an Italian Cup. Our thoughts are with his family at this time of grief.
“Ciao Sven” was the farewell of ‘Samp’.
But they were not the only clubs to pay tribute to a legend of Italian football. Inter, Genoa and Napoli also showed their condolences.
“Rest in peace, Sven-Goran Eriksson,” Genoa posted.
“Inter expresses its condolences on the passing of Sven-Göran Eriksson and joins his family and the entire football world in this time of mourning,” Inter said.
“President Aurelio De Laurentiis, on behalf of all of Napoli, joins the family of Sven Goran Eriksson following the passing of a great protagonist in the history of football,” the Napoli team said.
