Former England Manager Sven-Goran Eriksson Passes Away at 76

Sven-Goran Eriksson, the first non-British manager to lead the England football team, has passed away at the age of 76. Eriksson, who managed the England squad from 2001 to 2006, guided the team to the quarter-finals in three major tournaments during his tenure.

In January of this year, Eriksson revealed that he had been diagnosed with cancer and had been given “at best” a year to live.

On Monday, his children, Lina and Johan, shared the sad news: “Our father, Sven-Goran Eriksson, peacefully passed away at his home in Bjorkefors, outside Sunne, this morning. He fought bravely against his illness for a long time, but his battle has now come to an end.”

They continued, “Dad told us about his serious illness at the beginning of the year and received an overwhelming response from friends and football fans across Europe. He was invited to several football clubs in England, Italy, Portugal, and Sweden, where he shared his love for the game and connected with fans who admired him deeply. These experiences were unforgettable for both him and us. Dad expressed his gratitude, noting that such beautiful words are often only said after someone has passed away. We hope that you will remember Svennis as the kind and positive person he always was, both publicly and privately.”

Throughout his career, Eriksson managed 12 clubs, including notable teams like Manchester City, Leicester City, AS Roma, and Lazio, winning a total of 18 trophies. His international managerial career included stints with the national teams of Mexico, Ivory Coast, and the Philippines.

After retiring as a player at 27, Eriksson began his managerial career in 1977 with Degerfors IF before moving to IFK Gothenburg, where he won the Swedish title, two Swedish Cups, and the 1982 UEFA Cup. He later enjoyed successful periods with Portuguese giants Benfica and Italian clubs such as Roma, Fiorentina, Sampdoria, and Lazio. With Lazio, he secured seven trophies, including the Serie A title, two Italian Cups, and the European Cup Winners’ Cup.

Following his cancer diagnosis, Eriksson spent the year revisiting some of his former clubs, including Lazio and Sampdoria. In March, as a lifelong Liverpool fan, he participated in a Liverpool Legends match at Anfield, where the team defeated an Ajax Legends side 4-2.

In his recently released documentary, Sven, Eriksson left a touching message: “I hope you will remember me as a positive guy who tried to do everything he could. Don’t be sorry—smile. Thank you for everything—coaches, players, the fans—it’s been fantastic. Take care of yourself and take care of your life. And live it.”

Sven-Goran Eriksson will be remembered not only for his remarkable achievements in football but also for his warm and positive spirit.