STOCKHOLM: Sven-Goran Eriksson, the trailblazing Swedish football manager who made history as the first foreigner to lead the England national team, has passed away at the age of 76.
Eriksson, known for his charismatic coaching and significant achievements with Swedish, Portuguese, and Italian clubs in the 1980s and 1990s, was diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer earlier this year. He succumbed to the illness on Monday, surrounded by his family, according to his long-time agent, Bo Gustavsson.
Gustavsson described the final weeks as swift and difficult, reflecting on Eriksson’s positive demeanor and selflessness until the end. “He was always so positive and never thought of himself,” Gustavsson told Reuters.
Eriksson’s children, Lina and Johan, expressed their gratitude for the support their father received, noting that he was deeply touched by the warm tributes. “I am incredibly grateful for that,” Eriksson had said, reflecting on his fulfilling career.
During his tenure as England’s manager from 2001, Eriksson led the team to the quarter-finals of the 2002 and 2006 World Cups and the 2004 European Championship, guiding a talented squad that included David Beckham, Paul Scholes, and Wayne Rooney.
Eriksson first achieved international acclaim by steering Swedish club IFK Gothenburg to the UEFA Cup title in 1982. His successful career continued with Benfica, AS Roma, Fiorentina, Lazio, and Sampdoria.
In tribute to Eriksson, Italy’s football federation announced that matches in the country’s top two divisions will observe a minute’s silence in his honor.
