Former England and Manchester City coach Sven-Göran Eriksson has died at the age of 76.
The Swede, who was the first foreign coach to coach the England national team, announced in January that he had been diagnosed with terminal cancer.
A statement from his family said: “After a long illness, SGE (Sven-Göran Eriksson) passed away this morning at home surrounded by his family.
“The closest mourners are daughter Lina, son Johan with wife Amana and granddaughter Sky, father Sven, girlfriend Yanisette with son Alcides and brother Lars-Erik with wife Jumnong.
“The family asks that you respect their wishes to grieve privately and not to be contacted.”
In January, Eriksson told Swedish radio station P1 that he had a year to live.
In the Amazon Prime documentary “Sven” about his life, released in August, Eriksson said: “I've had a good life. I think we all fear the day we die, but life is also about death.”
“You have to learn to accept it as it is. Hopefully, in the end, people will say, 'Yes, he was a good man,' but not everyone will say that.”
“I hope you will remember me as a positive person who tried to do everything he could.
“Don't be sad, smile. Thank you for everything, coaches, players, spectators, it was fantastic. Take care of yourself and take care of your life. And live it.”
Eriksson had not worked since leaving Swedish club IF Karlstad in February 2023. He had been working as a consultant for the third division club, but gave up his position for health reasons.
However, in March he coached a Liverpool Legends team against Ajax Legends and described it as “a dream” to take charge of their home team at Anfield, having previously admitted that he has been a fan of the Merseyside club since childhood.
Eriksson managed an LFC Legends team in March (Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Mark Bullingham, CEO of the Football Association (FA), said: “This is a very sad day. It has brought such special memories to all England fans. No one will ever forget the 5-1 victory in Munich against Germany under Sven's leadership.”
“Sven will be duly recognised and always remembered for his significant work with the England national team and his wider contribution to football.”
Bullingham added that Eriksson will be honoured at England's UEFA Nations League match against Finland at Wembley next month. The Swede made his debut as manager of the Three Lions against the same opponents in 2001.
Prince William, former president of the English Football Association (FA), said: “I am saddened to hear of the death of Sven-Göran Eriksson. I met him several times when he was manager of the England national team and was always impressed by his charisma and passion for the game.”
“My thoughts are with his family and friends. A true gentleman of the game.”
Wayne Rooney, who was given his England debut by Eriksson at the age of 17, said: “Rest in peace, Sven. A special man. Thank you for the memories and all your help and advice. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.”
During his 42-year coaching career, Eriksson has coached a variety of clubs and national teams, but he is perhaps best known for his time as manager of the England national team between 2001 and 2006, with whom he reached the quarter-finals of the 2004 European Championship and the 2006 World Cup.
Eriksson took over the England job after a successful time as manager of Italian team Lazio, with whom he won the Serie A title in the 1999/2000 season – only the team's second ever title and yet the last that they won the Scudetto.
Eriksson also won several titles with Benfica in the 1980s before later coaching clubs such as Fiorentina, Sampdoria, Manchester City and Leicester City. At international level, Eriksson has been in charge of Mexico, Ivory Coast and the Philippines, among others. The latter was his last coaching job, which he left in 2019.
He coached 12 clubs, including Manchester City, Leicester, Roma and Lazio, and won 18 trophies.
GO DEEPER
Obituary for Sven-Göran Eriksson: Calm, dignified, positive, but never a weakling
(Top photo: Oli Scarff/AFP via Getty Images)
