Tributes pour in for Sven-Goran Eriksson after death aged 76 with ex-England stars ‘gutted and eternally grateful’
TRIBUTES have flooded in for England football legend Sven-Goran Eriksson who has died at aged 76.
Eriksson spent five years as Three Lions’ boss – taking England to the quarter-finals in two World Cups and a European Championship.
The Swedish manager revealed in January he had “at best a year” to live after being diagnosed with cancer.
And his family have confirmed the sad news of his passing in a heartbreaking statement today.
It read: “After a long illness, SGE died during the morning at home surrounded by family.”
Former England stars have immediately paid tribute to their former boss’ memory.
Trevor Sinclair posted on X: “Gutted & eternally grateful. RIP Sven.”
Gary Neville took to Instagram to express his gratitude shortly after his death was announced.
The former England full-back wrote: “Rest in Peace Sven.”
Meanwhile FA CEO Mark Bullingham said: “This is a very sad day. He gave all England fans such special memories.
“No one can ever forget the 5-1 victory in Munich against Germany under Sven’s guidance.
“Sven will be rightly recognised and forever remembered for his significant work with the England team, and for his wider contribution to the game.
“On behalf of my colleagues at The FA, past and present, our thoughts are with his friends and family today. He will be much missed, and we will pay tribute to him when we play Finland at Wembley next month.”
He managed superstars such as Wayne Rooney, Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, Rio Ferdinand, Paul Scholes, David Beckham and Michael Owen.
Eriksson left the England role after the 2006 World Cup and would later manage a host of clubs at domestic and international level.
Due to his health issues, he was sadly forced to step down as sporting director at Swedish club Karlstad in February 2023.
Eriksson’s former club Manchester City, who he managed for the 2007/08 season after Stuart Pearce, were the first club to offer their sincere condolences.
The champs wrote on X: “We would like to express our sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Sven-Goran Eriksson. Rest in peace, Sven .”
Liverpool, who Eriksson supported throughout his life, posted on X: “The thoughts of everyone at the club are with Sven’s family and friends at this extremely sad time.”
And his former side Leicester, who he led between 2010/11 also instantly reached out to express their “deep sadness”.
Meanwhile the Prince William was the first to offer his heartfelt condolences on X.
The Prince of Wales, who is President of the Football Association, wrote on X: “Sad to hear about the passing of Sven-Goran Eriksson.
“I met him several times as England manager and was always struck by his charisma and passion for the game.
“My thoughts are with his family and friends. A true gentleman of the game. W.”
Eriksson's heartbreaking goodbye message
Eriksson, speaking before his death in Amazon Prime’s documentary about his life, ‘Sven’ said: “I had a good life.
“I think we are all scared of the day when we die, but life is about death as well. 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. 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.