Sven-Goran Eriksson A Beloved Figure in Football Succumbs to Cancer After Courageous Battle
London, England – Sven-Goran Eriksson, the first non-British manager of England’s national football team, has died at the age of 76 after a battle with cancer. Eriksson, who led England to the quarter-finals in three major tournaments between 2001 and 2006, passed away peacefully at his home in Bjorkefors, Sweden, according to a statement from his children, Lina and Johan.
Eriksson, who was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year, had spent his final months reconnecting with former clubs and fans across Europe. His children shared,
“Dad fought bravely with his illness, but it came to an end this morning. We hope you remember him as the positive person he always was.”
A highly successful manager, Eriksson won 18 trophies during his career, including stints with Manchester City, Leicester, Roma, and Lazio. His international career saw him managing teams like Mexico, Ivory Coast, and the Philippines.
After retiring as a player at 27, Eriksson quickly made a name for himself as a manager, beginning with Degerfors in 1977. He later won the Swedish title and the 1982 UEFA Cup with Gothenburg before managing top clubs across Europe.
In a recent documentary, Sven, released earlier this month, Eriksson shared a heartfelt message:
“I hope you will remember me as a positive guy who did everything he could. Don’t be sorry, smile.”
Eriksson’s tenure as England manager was marked by both success and controversy, including a memorable 5-1 victory over Germany in 2001. However, his time with England ended after the 2006 World Cup amid off-field scandals.
Despite the challenges, Eriksson left a lasting impact on the game. The Prince of Wales, president of the Football Association, remembered him as “a true gentleman of the game.” FA chief executive Mark Bullingham added, “Sven gave all England fans such special memories, and he will be forever remembered for his significant contributions to football.”
Eriksson’s later career included managing Manchester City and Leicester, along with international roles with Mexico and the Ivory Coast. His final managerial position was with the Philippines in 2018-2019.
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