Sven-Goran Eriksson, the trailblazing Swedish football manager who became the first non-British coach of the England national team, has died at the age of 76.
Eriksson, who led England to the quarter-finals in three major tournaments during his tenure from 2001 to 2006, had been battling cancer and revealed earlier this year that he had “at best” a year to live.
Eriksson’s children, Lina and Johan, announced his passing in a heartfelt statement on Monday, saying, “Our father Sven-Goran Eriksson fell asleep peacefully in his home at Bjorkefors outside Sunne this morning. He has for a long time fought bravely with his illness, but now it came to an end.”
They also expressed their gratitude for the outpouring of support their father received from the football community: “Dad told us at the beginning of this year about his serious illness and received an amazing response from friends and football fans around Europe. He was invited to several football teams in England, Italy, Portugal, and Sweden. They shared their love for football and for dad.”
Eriksson’s illustrious managerial career spanned more than three decades, during which he managed 12 clubs, including Manchester City, Leicester City, Roma, and Lazio, amassing 18 trophies. He also had stints as the head coach of the national teams of Mexico, Ivory Coast, and the Philippines.
The envious career of Sven-Goran Eriksson
Starting his managerial journey with Degerfors in 1977 after retiring as a player, Eriksson quickly made a name for himself at IFK Gothenburg, where he won the Swedish league title, two domestic cups, and the UEFA Cup in 1982.
His success continued with notable spells at Benfica, Roma, Fiorentina, Sampdoria, and Lazio, where he secured seven major trophies, including the Serie A title and the European Cup Winners’ Cup.
Eriksson’s legacy in football is marked not only by his achievements but also by his pioneering spirit and the positive impact he had on the sport across multiple continents.
He will be remembered as a beloved figure in the football world, both for his professional accomplishments and his warm, optimistic personality.
