Sven-Göran Eriksson, the first overseas manager of England’s national football team and a highly successful club coach, has passed away at the age of 76. Eriksson, known for his calm demeanor and tactical acumen, revealed in January 2024 that he had been diagnosed with terminal cancer and had only about a year to live. He had retired from his last role as sporting director at Karlstad in Sweden the previous year due to health issues.
Eriksson’s career spanned over four decades, during which he won 18 trophies. He began his managerial journey in Sweden with Degerfors IF before achieving great success with IFK Göteborg, leading them to the Swedish title and a UEFA Cup victory in 1982. His success in Sweden led to a move to Benfica, where he won two league titles and reached another UEFA Cup final.
Eriksson’s managerial prowess saw him take charge of top clubs in Italy, including Roma, Fiorentina, and Sampdoria, before achieving significant success with Lazio. Backed by the club’s wealthy president, Eriksson led Lazio to a Serie A title in 2000, only the second in the club’s history. By this time, Eriksson had established himself as one of Europe’s top managers.
In January 2001, Eriksson became the first foreign manager of the England national team, a move that was met with some controversy. Despite the initial skepticism, he quickly won over critics with a series of impressive performances, including a memorable 5-1 victory over Germany in Munich. Eriksson guided England to three major tournaments, reaching the quarter-finals in each.
However, his time with England was also marked by controversy off the pitch, including revelations about his personal life and involvement in a tabloid sting. Despite this, Eriksson remained a respected figure in football, going on to manage several clubs and national teams, including Manchester City, Leicester, Mexico, and the Philippines.
In March 2024, Eriksson fulfilled a lifelong dream by managing Liverpool at Anfield in a charity match. A documentary about his life, titled “Sven,” was released on Amazon Prime before his death, capturing his humor, grace, and love for the game. In the documentary, Eriksson left a final message: “Don’t be sorry, smile. Thank you for everything. Take care of yourself and your life. And live it. Bye.”
Sven-Göran Eriksson’s legacy as a football manager will be remembered for his contributions to the sport, his dignified approach to life’s challenges, and his love for the beautiful game.
