Former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson has died at the age of 76, seven months on from revealing a terminal cancer diagnosis.
The Swede announced in January that he had "at best a year" left to live after being diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer, sparking an outpouring of tributes from former players and colleagues alike.
Following the heartbreaking news of his diagnosis, Eriksson fulfilled a lifelong wish to manage Liverpool, sitting in the Anfield hotseat for a legends match against Ajax in March.
Eriksson's death was announced in a press release by his former agent Bo Gustavsson, who revealed that the Swede had passed away at home with his family by his side.
"Sven-Goran Eriksson had passed away. After a long illness, SGE died during the morning at home surrounded by family," Gustavsson said in a statement.
© Reuters
Eriksson family asks for "respect" after manager's death
"The closest mourners are daughter Lina; son Johan with wife Amana and granddaughter Sky; father Sven; girlfriend Yanisette with son Alcides; brother Lars-Erik with wife Jumnong.
"The family asks for respect for their wish to mourn in private and not be contacted. Condolences and greetings can be left on the website www.svengoraneriksson.com."
Throughout a well-travelled and distinguished career, Eriksson managed no fewer than 16 different clubs/countries but will no doubt be best remembered for his time in the England hotseat from 2001 to 2006.
The late Swede became the first-ever foreign manager to take charge of the Three Lions, and within a year of taking the reins, he masterminded England's astonishing 5-1 victory over Germany in Euro 2002 qualifying.
Eriksson won 39 of his 66 games in charge of England, but the Three Lions were eliminated at the quarter-final stage at the 2002 and 2006 World Cups, as well as Euro 2004, losing on penalties in the latter two competitions to Portugal.
Eriksson won 18 trophies during glittering managerial career
Former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson has died at the age of 76.pic.twitter.com/5hnkiciSvI
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 26, 2024
Before his five-year spell in charge of England, Eriksson had started out managing in his native Sweden with Degerfors and Goteborg, leading the latter to the UEFA Cup title in 1982 as part of a continental and domestic treble.
Eriksson then enjoyed two spells in charge of Benfica either side of stints in Italy with Fiorentina and Roma; he won three Portuguese top-flight titles with the Eagles, as well as the 1986 Coppa Italia while in charge of Roma.
Another trophy-laden stint followed with Lazio from 1997 to 2000, as Eriksson led the Biancocelesti to the 1999-00 Serie A title, as well as one UEFA Super Cup, two Coppa Italia titles and a pair of Supercoppa Italiana crowns.
After leaving England at the end of the 2006 World Cup, Eriksson secured his first Premier League job with Manchester City, before also managing Leicester City, Mexico, Ivory Coast, Guangzhou R&F, Shanghai SIPG, Shenzhen and the Philippines, the latter being his last job as head coach.
Eriksson ended his footballing career in administrative roles with IF Karlstad, serving as an advisor and later their sporting director before stepping down in February 2023 when his health began to worsen.
Ben Knapton
