Former England coach passed away at the age of 76

Sven Goran Eriksson, the Swedish football coach has spent five years as England coach and become the first ever foreign-born coach while becoming power house after winning trophies at club level in Italy, Portugal and Sweden then he lost his life on Monday (August 26, 2024) at the age of 76.

According to The Associated Press they were told about the tragedy death of Sven Goran Eriksson who died at his home surrounded by his family, his agent Bo Gustavsson.

He passed away 8 months after being announced that he is diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and had at most one year to live.

The family of Eriksson received sympathy words and tributes from his former players and clubs, a biographical documentary being made, and a visit to his favorite club Liverpool which invited him to be manager for the day at a charity game.

The President of FIFA Mr Gianni Infantino was amongst the honorable people who paid tribute to the former England manager.

Infantino said “As a coach, Sven-Goran was both a great innovator and a true ambassador of our beautiful game.”

Sven Goran during his playing time management to play for a period of nine years before he hangs up his soccer boots at the age of 27 and took over at England coaching role in 2001.

In less than a few months, he set a record of defeating Germany by 5-1 goals in Munich during a World Cup qualifying fixture.

He went on to coach the best players at England who were called “golden generation” that include players such as David Beckham, Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney, at the World Cups in 2002 and 2006 and got the team to the quarterfinals at both tournaments before elimination by Brazil and Portugal, respectively.

David Beckham also payed tribute to the former England manager and wrote on his Instagram page.

Beckham wrote “We laughed, we cried and we knew we were saying goodbye. Sven, thank you for always being the person you have always been passionate, caring, calm and a true gentleman.

“I will be forever grateful for you making me your captain but I will forever hold these last memories of this day with you and your family … Thank you Sven and in your last words to me, ‘It will be ok.”

Back then in 2018 the former England head coach revealed secrets about his life during his tenure at Three Lions.

Eriksson said “My private life was not very private in England.”

Eriksson went on to take charge of the Mexico, Ivory Coast and Philippines national teams but his success of trophies came when he coached at the club game(levels).

In Sweden he coached IFK Gothenburg and won the league and Cup double in 1982 and had amazing season and on top of cherry he won UEFA Cup.

Eriksson won back to back Portuguese League title in row for two years stint with Benfica (1982-84), as well as the Portuguese Cup in 1983 and returned there to reach the European Cup final in 1990 losing to AC Milan and win the league again in 1991.

Even in Italy he made his name to be at the top of chain with Lazio after having a spell at AS Roma (1984-87) and Sampdoria (1992-97).

BY LUCKY SEANEGO