Sven-Goran Eriksson, the Swedish manager who spent five years in charge as England’s first foreign manager after a successful club career in Italy, Portugal and Sweden, has died. He was 76.
Eriksson died Monday at his home surrounded by family, his agent Bo Gustavsson told The Associated Press.
His death occurred eight months after he revealed that he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and had at most one year to live.
The news led to Eriksson receiving a series of tributes from the players and clubs he previously managed, the production of a biographical documentary and a visit to Liverpool, his favourite club, who invited him to coach for a day during a charity match.
Known as “Svennis” in his native Sweden, Eriksson completed a modest nine-year career, hanging up his boots at 27. He embarked on a globe-trotting coaching career that peaked when he was appointed England manager in 2001.
Within a few months, he had led a devalued team to a sensational 5-1 victory over Germany in Munich in the World Cup qualifiers.
Eriksson led a so-called “golden generation” of players, including David Beckham, Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney, to the 2002 and 2006 World Cups, reaching the quarter-finals at both tournaments, losing to Brazil and Portugal respectively.
In the other major tournament played under Eriksson’s command – Euro 2004 – England were eliminated in the quarter-finals, also by Portugal and on penalties, as they would be two years later at the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
“We laughed, we cried and we knew it was goodbye,” Beckham wrote in an Instagram post that included a video of a recent meeting with Eriksson, who gave him the captain’s armband.
“Sven, thank you for always being that person — passionate, caring, calm, and a true gentleman. I will always be grateful for you naming me as your captain, but I will always cherish the last memories to this day with you and your family… Thank you Sven and in your last words to me: “I will be okay.”
Eriksson’s time with England is also remembered for off-field issues. He had two affairs — one with Swedish television personality Ulrika Jonsson and another with an English FA secretary, Faria Alam — that became tabloid fodder in England.
“My private life was not very private in England,” Eriksson said in 2018.
Her time in England coincided with the rise of the WAGS (wives and girlfriends), with players’ partners – such as Victoria Beckham – gaining attention after Eriksson allowed her to accompany the team to the World Cup in Germany.
He was in charge of the Mexican national team between 2008 and 2009. He was fired in the midst of a poor qualifying campaign for the 2010 World Cup. He also led the Ivory Coast and Philippines national teams.
But his greatest achievements came at club level, winning league titles with Lazio in Italy, Benfica in Portugal and IFK Gothenburg in Sweden.
