Sven-Goran Eriksson’s close friend gave heartbreaking update on ex-England manager’s health days before he died aged 76
SVEN-GORAN Eriksson’s close friend delivered a heartbreaking update on the ex-England manager’s health battle shortly before his death was confirmed today.
The dear pal spoke of how the 76-year-old had been too ill to go on his favourite lakeside walk after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
The terminally-ill former Manchester City manager lost his battle with cancer today and had revealed his diagnosis in January.
His inspirational life has been chronicled in a documentary for Amazon Prime Video which was released on Friday.
Speaking to The Mirror, close friend Runebjer said: “I’ve seen Sven and how do I feel? I feel sad but I am happy to have known Sven and know that I can still see him. This is my reaction.
“He is such a tremendous person.
“Lake Fryken is beautiful. It is 90 kilometres long from south to north and it is a beautiful landscape. You can see that in the pictures. You can definitely fish in that lake too.
“But sadly his condition does not allow Sven to do that any more. It is a hard time for him.”
Sven spoke about Lake Fryken in his documentary and was filmed sitting by the beautiful body of water.
He said: “I always thought this is a great place to sleep.
“The ashes could be thrown into the water here.”
The director of Sven’s documentary revealed that the former footballer left those working on the project in tears as he recorded his final goodbye in a room alone without a cameraman.
Claudia Corbisiero, director, said; “He was always open, but I think it just took time to get him to be really open about his illness and the way he felt about it.
“Sven also really wanted to make sure that this wasn’t only a sad story.
“And that was something that he was really keen on, is ‘I don’t want this to be a boo hoo. I’m dying’ thing.'”
Sven was too ill to fly to London earlier this week to promote the documentary.
His daughter Lina said on stage in London he is now “deteriorating quite quickly”.
The ex-England manager gave a final message to former players, coaches and supporters after speaking openly about his affairs and life in the film.
In a touching clip at the end of the documentary, Sven told viewers: “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.”
The film then pans back to Sven in his home, with the former England manager concluding his message with “bye”.
Sven-Goran Eriksson's managerial career
FOLLOWING Sven-Goran Eriksson's death from his battle with cancer, SunSport takes a look at his remarkable managerial career...
PROMISING START
It began in Sweden in 1977 where he won the third division with Degerfors, before he joined Gothenburg and won two Swedish Cups and the Uefa Cup.
He then took over at Benfica in 1982 and spent two seasons with the Portuguese giants where he won back-to-back league titles.
INCREDIBLE ITALIAN SUCCESS
Stints followed in Italy with Roma and Fiorentina, but he returned to Benfica in 1989 and reached the European Cup final before losing to AC Milan.
Eriksson claimed a third league title with Benfica the following year, leaving in 1992 for Sampdoria.
He spent five seasons with the Serie A side, winning the Copa Italia in 1994.
Eriksson then added another two Coppa Italias to his trophy cabinet with Lazio across a four-year spell.
ENGLAND APPOINTMENT
Then came the England job in 2001 where he spent five years at the helm of the national side.
He reached the quarter-finals of World Cup 2002, losing 2-1 to eventual winners Brazil.
England then suffered back-to-back eliminations at the hands of Portugal at Euro 2004 and World Cup 2006.
PREMIER LEAGUE SPELLS
After leaving the Three Lions following his third major tournament, he spent one season at Manchester City.
Spells followed at Mexico, Ivory Coast and Leicester, before he moved to China where he coached three clubs across a four-year period.
His last managerial stint came for the Philippines national team, a position he held from October 2018 to January 2019.
MAJOR HONOURS
Portugal League title x 3 (Benfica 82/83, 83/84, 90/91)
Copa Italia x 4 (Roma 85/86, Sampdoria 93/94, Lazio 97/98, 99/00)
Serie A title (Lazio 99/00)
Uefa Cup Winners’ Cup (Lazio 98/99)
Uefa Super Cup (Lazio 99)
BBC Sports Personality Coach of the Year (England 2001)