In a sombre announcement from Sweden, Sven-Göran Eriksson, the revered football manager who broke new ground by becoming England’s first foreign manager, has passed away at the age of 76. His agent in Sweden, Bo Gustavsson, confirmed through UK PR representative Dean Eldredge of Oporto Sports that Eriksson died on Monday morning, surrounded by his loved ones at his home. Following a distinguished career that fetched him numerous club-level accolades, Eriksson had disclosed in January 2024 that he was battling terminal cancer, with a prognosis of a year to live at most. His departure from the sporting director role at Karlstad, due to health concerns under review, had marked the end of his professional journey the year prior.
Eriksson’s illustrious tenure in football management spanned over four decades, garnishing his legacy with 18 major trophies. The Swedish national’s early days saw him steering Degerfors IF, before his remarkable achievements with IFK Göteborg, where he clinched the Swedish championship and the UEFA Cup in 1982, truly put him on the map. His prowess didn’t go unnoticed, leading to successful stints with Benfica, where he secured two league titles and a UEFA Cup final appearance, before further enhancing his resume with tenures at Roma, Fiorentina, a second spell at Benfica, and then Sampdoria, culminating in a Coppa Italia victory.
The pinnacle of Eriksson’s club management career came with Lazio, where under the patronage of Sergio Cragnotti, he led the Roman club to its second Serie A championship in 2000. His success in Italy paved the way for his historic appointment as England manager in 2001, a move that sparked debate within certain factions of the British press due to his nationality. Nonetheless, Eriksson’s tenure with England was marked by significant achievements, including a memorable 5-1 victory over Germany in Munich and leading the team to the quarter-finals in three major tournaments.
Eriksson’s time with England wasn’t without its controversies, particularly those concerning his personal life, which often overshadowed his professional accomplishments. Following his England tenure, he continued to contribute to football, managing Manchester City, Leicester, Mexico, and the Philippines, with his final professional role coming in 2019.
In March 2024, Eriksson fulfilled a childhood dream by managing Liverpool in a charity match at Anfield, describing the experience as a beautiful day. His life and career were immortalised in a documentary titled ‘Sven’ on Amazon Prime, showcasing his enduring good humour, grace, and dignity. In his own words, Eriksson encouraged others to live fully and with gratitude towards the game and its community, leaving a legacy that transcends his achievements on the pitch.
News Team
