Sven-Goran Eriksson, the former manager of the England national football team, has died at the age of 76. Eriksson, who made history as the first non-British manager of the England team, led the Three Lions to the quarter-finals in three major tournaments during his tenure from 2001 to 2006.
In January, Eriksson revealed he had been diagnosed with cancer and had “at best” a year to live. On Monday, his family announced, “Sven-Goran Eriksson has passed away. After a long illness, SGE died during the morning at home, surrounded by family.”
The Swedish football icon managed 12 clubs throughout his career, including stints at Manchester City, Leicester, Roma, and Lazio, where he secured 18 trophies. Eriksson also held managerial roles with the national teams of Mexico, Ivory Coast, and the Philippines.
After retiring as a player at the age of 27, Eriksson began his managerial career with Degerfors in 1977. He then joined Gothenburg, another Swedish team, where he won the Swedish title, two Swedish Cups, and the 1982 UEFA Cup. Eriksson’s career also saw him manage Portuguese giants Benfica and several Italian clubs, including Roma, Fiorentina, Sampdoria, and Lazio. At Lazio, he won seven trophies, including the Serie A title, two Italian Cups, and the European Cup Winners’ Cup.
Following his cancer diagnosis, Eriksson spent time visiting some of his former clubs, including Lazio and Sampdoria. In March, he returned to Anfield, where he helped lead a Liverpool Legends team to a 4-2 victory over an Ajax Legends side. Eriksson, a lifelong Liverpool fan, shared a heartfelt message at the end of his documentary film ‘Sven,’ released earlier this month.
“I hope you will remember me as a positive guy trying to do everything he could do,” Eriksson said. “Don’t be sorry, smile. Thank you for everything, coaches, players, the crowds, it’s been fantastic. Take care of yourself and take care of your life. And live it.”
