Ex-England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson dies aged 76 after most cancers battle
Former England football manager Sven-Goran Eriksson has died aged 76 after becoming terminally ill with pancreatic cancer.
The Swedish boss – who said in January he had ‘best case a year’ to live after his diagnosis – became the first foreigner to lead the England national team in 2001.
Eriksson led the squad to quarter finals of the 2002 and 2006 World Cups, and at the 2004 European Championship.
He famously managed a golden generation of players, including David Beckham, Paul Scholes, Frank Lampard, Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard.
Eriksson also led Swedish, Portuguese and Italian clubs to major trophies in the 1980s and 1990s before taking on the England job.
Bo Gustavsson, an agent in Sweden who worked with Eriksson, said in a statement issued today: ‘Sven-Goran Eriksson has passed away.
Sven-Goran Eriksson in a recent Amazon Prime documentary about his life, entitled ‘Sven’
Sven-Goran Eriksson with his partner Yaniseth Alcides in Stockholm, Sweden, on January 22
Sven-Goran Eriksson alongside England’s Wayne Rooney at the 2006 World Cup in Germany
Sven-Goran Eriksson at a match between Liverpool and Ajax Legends at Anfield on March 23
Prince William speaks with England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson on the team bus in June 2006
Sven-Goran Eriksson at a match between Liverpool and Ajax Legends at Anfield on March 23
Sven-Goran Eriksson speaks to captain David Beckham during Euro 2004 in Lisbon, Portugal
‘After a long illness, SGE died during the morning at home surrounded by family.
‘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.’
More to follow
