The world of football bids farewell to Sven Goran Erikssonwho died of cancer at the age of 76. Many reactions, many on social media, from his former players, his teams, and the champions who crossed paths with him on the pitch.
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Lazio: “Thank you for what you have done for us”
Roberto Baggio: “Ciao Sven, thanks for everything”
“Ciao Sven, thanks for everything”. Roberto Baggio wrote on Instagram, posting a photo of Fiorentina with Eriksson as coach and Baggio as a Viola player.
Sergio Conceicao: “He gave so much to football”
“A great man who gave so much to football. Rest in peace, mister”. Thus on his social channels the Portuguese Sergio Conceiçao, Lazio midfielder from 1998 to 2000, in the appeal of Sven Goran Eriksson. On X he published a photo with the Swedish coach on the day of the Biancoceleste championship.
David Beckham: “Thanks for making me captain of the England team”
“We laughed, we cried and we knew we were saying goodbye… Sven thank you for always being the person you always were, passionate, caring, calm and a true gentleman…” This is how former England football star David Beckham remembers Sven Goran Eriksson. “I will always be grateful for making me your captain but I will always cherish these last memories of this day with you and your family… Thank you Sven and in your last words to me ‘Everything will be OK'”, Beckham added in a post on Instagram in which he also published a short video of himself with his former coach in the national team.
Mancini: “Sven is a wonderful man and a fantastic coach”
“Ciao Sven. You were a wonderful man and a fantastic coach.” Saudi Arabia coach Roberto Mancini wrote this on an Instagram story. The former Italian coach worked a lot with Eriksson as a player and began his coaching career as his assistant.
Rome Mayor Gualtieri: “The whole city pays homage to him”
“All of Rome’s sports world pays homage to Sven Goran Eriksson, a great coach who left an indelible mark on the history of world football and Roman football in particular, leading Lazio to win the Scudetto. His coexistence with the relentless tumor that had struck him was an example of dignity, love and courage that moved the entire world.” This is what the mayor of Rome, Roberto Gualtieri, wrote on Facebook.
Capello: “I went to visit him in Portugal, we spent a day talking about football”
“A great coach has died, in terms of sport, and a great man. I remember when I was at his house in Portugal, in Cascais, we spent a whole day together talking about football. I really enjoyed it, there with his family, a great person”. This is how Fabio Capello remembers Sven Goran Eriksson.
Fernando Couto: “Great man and great coach”
“Thank you Mister. Great man and great coach.” Fernando Couto, Lazio defender who won the Scudetto with Sven Goran Eriksson in 2000, wrote on Instagram, posting a photo with the Swedish coach.
Fifa, Sweden flag at half-mast in Zurich
The Swedish flag is flying at half-mast at FIFA headquarters in Zurich. This is how the International Football Federation commemorates Sven Goran Eriksson.
Rio Ferdinand: “Rip Boss”
British PM Starmer: ‘He has made a great contribution to English football’
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also paid his respects to Sven-Goran Eriksson. “Deeply saddened to hear of Eriksson’s passing,” he wrote on X. “He will be remembered for his extraordinary contribution to English football, which brought joy to many over the years.” “Our thoughts are with his family,”
Gravina: “A minute of silence on all pitches”
Gabriele Gravina, president of the FIGC, announces: “A minute of silence on all pitches”. And he adds: “The news of his death is a great pain for Italian football. Appreciated and respected for his technical and human qualities, Sven Goran was a great coach whose memory will remain forever linked to Italy. His testimony of love for football and for life has moved everyone and unites the fans, without any distinction, in a long and emotional applause”.
Nesta: “Extraordinary person, I will carry you in my heart”
Alessandro Nesta, captain of Lazio that Eriksson led to the Scudetto: “Rest in peace, great coach and extraordinary person. I will always carry you in my heart. Thank you for everything”.
Roma: “A thought for his family”
Roma, Eriksson’s first Italian team, said goodbye to the former coach: “The club mourns the passing of Sven Goran Eriksson. He led the Giallorossi from 1984 to 1987, winning an Italian Cup. Our thoughts go out to his family in this moment of grief.”
Prince William: “A gentleman of football”
Prince William, heir to the British throne, commented on the passing of Eriksson, England coach from 2001 to 2006: “Saddened by Eriksson’s death. I met him several times when he was England coach.
I have always been impressed by his charisma and his passion for football. My thoughts go to his family and friends. A true gentleman of football”.
UEFA: “A great figure”
UEFA: “On behalf of the European football community, everyone at UEFA is deeply saddened by the passing of Sven Göran Eriksson. A beloved figure in the game, Sven was a UEFA Cup winner as coach of IFK Göteborg in 1982 before leading Lazio to the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup in 1999. Rest in peace, Sven.”
Sampdoria: “Coach and gentleman”
Sampdoria, the team Eriksson: “The first word that comes to mind when we think of him is dignity. Sporting dignity, for the class and respect shown on every occasion in over forty years of coaching career. Human dignity, for having faced with courage and composure a bastard opponent like the cancer that took him away at 76 years old. He passed away in Sweden, wrapped in the affection of his family and those who loved him. We Sampdoria fans loved him so much and last May 5, at Marassi, we were able to show it to him as we know how. A special occasion, that, to reiterate that time and seasons may pass but those who have put their heart into Sampdoria will never pass away. Because Sven does not leave us only a historic third place, an Italian Cup in the trophy cabinet or a Cup Winners’ Cup final that slipped away at the most beautiful moment. Sven leaves us emotions, indelible memories and, above all, a great moral legacy. Goodbye and thank you Sven, mister, gentleman and Sampdoria fan”.
Inzaghi: “An inspiration, have a good trip mister”
Simone Inzaghi, Inter coach and centre-forward for Eriksson’s Lazio: “The passing of Sven-Göran Eriksson is a great pain for me. I was very young, just arrived in Rome and he helped me a lot, he was fundamental in my growth as a footballer and as a man. I admired his calm, his education, the great respect he had for everyone. He was a source of inspiration for me. I am here also thanks to him and his teachings. Sven was a great man, an example of life for everyone”, he added. “These last months faced with great strength and a unique desire to live have been a further demonstration of his greatness: he taught us to live while he was dying. Have a good trip Sven and thank you for everything, I will always carry you with me”.
Zoff: “He leaves us his class”
Zoff: “I remember Eriksson as a pleasant man in all aspects, both professional and company. I’m personally sorry, it’s a loss as a person as well as a coach. The memories that tie me to him at Lazio are many. What does he leave to modern football? He leaves the class that he always showed in his behavior”.
Lotito: “His courage in his illness is an example for all”
Lazio president Claudio Lotito remembers Sven Goran Eriksson, the Swedish coach who died at the age of 76, in a statement: “SS Lazio mourns the passing of Sven-Göran Eriksson: his courage in facing the disease that struck him was an example and lesson for anyone who listened to him. During the interviews he gave in recent months, he was able to instill love for life and for football. He was not only the most successful coach in the history of the Società Sportiva Lazio, but above all a man of integrity and an exquisite and gentlemanly person, qualities that he knew how to mix with classic Nordic aplomb. I remember him at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome – adds Lotito -, excited like a child, on the occasion of his return to the capital, we spoke for a long time: I was struck by his serenity, we hugged each other tightly. I saw him walk towards the edge of the pitch, at a slow pace he walked around the stadium. All our Lazio people, as he passed by, shouted phrases of thanks and affection, an almost palpable emotion, tears running down their faces, he knew how to respond to the incitements with the strength of his smile. I would like to hug him again, to whisper in his ear that Lazio will never forget him. I send my heartfelt condolences to his family, football and the world have lost a great man”.
Simeone: “Thank you for everything, mister”
Lazio: “Thank you for what you have done for us”
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– 2024-08-28 15:30:18
