Sven-Göran Eriksson, the distinguished Swedish football manager and former England head coach, has passed away at the age of 76 after a prolonged battle with terminal pancreatic cancer. Eriksson, who revealed his diagnosis at the beginning of 2024, died peacefully at his home on Monday, surrounded by his family.
Eriksson’s career spanned over four decades, during which he won 18 trophies with various clubs across Sweden, Portugal, Italy, and beyond. His managerial journey also took him to Manchester City, Mexico, the Ivory Coast, and the Philippines, among others.
His managerial journey began in Sweden with Degerfors IF and later IFK Göteborg, where he achieved significant success, including winning the UEFA Cup in 1982. His triumphs with Benfica, Roma, and Lazio, notably winning their first Serie A title in 2000, further cemented his reputation as one of Europe’s leading coaches.
Eriksson's tenure as England's first foreign manager, from 2001 to 2006, is particularly memorable. Under his guidance, England secured a famous 5-1 victory over Germany in 2001, a highlight of his tenure. Despite leading the team to three major tournaments, including the 2002 and 2006 World Cups and Euro 2004, England fell short at the quarter-final stage each time. Eriksson's era was marked by a blend of high expectations and intense scrutiny, compounded by personal controversies that often overshadowed his professional achievements.
In January 2024, Eriksson announced he had been diagnosed with terminal cancer and had “at best” a year to live. He had stepped down from his last role as sporting director at Karlstad in Sweden in February 2023 due to health issues. Eriksson's final public appearance in March 2024 was a poignant moment when he managed Liverpool Legends in a charity match against Ajax at Anfield, fulfilling a lifelong dream of managing his beloved Liverpool.
In a statement released by his family, Eriksson was remembered for his bravery and grace during his illness. “Our father Sven-Göran Eriksson fell asleep peacefully in his home this morning. He fought bravely with his illness, but now it has come to an end. We hope you remember him as the positive and good person he always was,” his children Lina and Johan said.
The English Football Association (FA) announced that a tribute to Eriksson will be held during England's Nations League match against Finland in September. FA Chief Executive Mark Bullingham expressed the organization's condolences, highlighting Eriksson's impact on English football and the memorable moments he provided.
