The former football manager, who coached in 10 countries overall, passed away after suffering from pancreatic cancer.
ADVERTISEMENTFormer England football manager Sven-Göran Eriksson has died at the age of 76 after a battle with cancer.
A family statement released on Monday said that Eriksson « died during the morning at home surrounded by family » after a long illness.
The Swede revealed in January that he had pancreatic cancer and had one year left to live « at best ».
As a former football player and manager, Eriksson experienced major success with various clubs across Europe.
Between 1977 and 2001, he won 18 trophies with clubs in Sweden, Portugal and Italy, including the UEFA Cup and the European Cup Winners’ Cup (before it was abolished), in addition to domestic titles.
He then managed the England men’s football team until 2006, becoming the Three Lions’ first non-British manager and leading them to the quarter-finals of two World Cups and the Euros in 2004.
During his career, Eriksson also managed English sides Manchester City and Leicester City, as well as the national teams of Mexico, the Philippines and the Ivory Coast. All in all, he coached in 10 countries.
After his diagnosis, Eriksson spent the year visiting some of his former clubs before helping to lead the Liverpool Legends to a 4-2 victory against Ajax in March.
He was a lifelong Liverpool fan, and the club took to social media platform X to share its condolences for his passing. The England team also express its sadness.
Speaking previously on a new documentary, « Sven », the former manager said he’d had a good life.
« I think we are all scared of the day when we die, but life is about death as well, » he said. « You have to learn to accept it for what it is. Hopefully, at the end, people will say, ‘yeah, he was a good man’, but everyone will not say that. »
« I hope you will remember me as a positive guy trying to do everything he could do, » he continued.
« 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. Bye. »
