Football stars including David Beckham have paid tribute to Sven-Goran Eriksson who has died aged 76 after a battle with cancer.
Beckham said he would be “forever grateful” to the “true gentleman”, as he shared a moving video on Instagram of the final time he met the former England manager.
The Prince of Wales and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer have also paid tribute to him.
Eriksson died on Monday morning surrounded by his family, after being diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer, a statement on his official website confirmed.
Beckham was England captain throughout Eriksson’s reign and paid a personal tribute to the Swede, who announced in January that he had “best case” a year to live.
“We laughed, we cried and we knew we were saying goodbye,” Beckham wrote on Instagram, sharing footage of his final meeting with Eriksson, which is thought to have taken place at Eriksson’s home in Sweden.
“Sven, thank you for always being the person you have always been – passionate, caring, calm and a true gentleman,” his post continued.
“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’.”
Ex-England captain Wayne Rooney described Eriksson as a “special man”, as he wrote on X: “Thanks for the memories and all your help and advice. Thoughts and prayers with all his family and friends.”
Rest in peace, Sven. A special man. Thanks for the memories and all your help and advice. Thoughts and prayers with all his family and friends ❤️ pic.twitter.com/HHegq1Rsp9
— Wayne Rooney (@WayneRooney) August 26, 2024
Eriksson handed Rooney his international debut in 2003 and memorably called on fans not to kill the teenager, who he described as the “golden boy of English football”, upon his departure after the 2006 World Cup.
Rooney’s old England team-mate Michael Owen, who was the hat-trick hero in the 5-1 rout of Germany in Munich in 2001 which proved the highlight of Eriksson’s reign as manager, described the Swede as “one of the very best”.
Former England midfielder Frank Lampard, who became a regular under Eriksson after the 2002 World Cup, said on Instagram: “He was an absolute gentleman and was always there for you on and off the pitch. I will always be grateful to him for the trust and support he gave me in my England career.
“Thanks Sven for all you did for me. My thoughts are with your loved ones at this difficult time.”
In 2001, Eriksson was made England’s first ever foreign manager in pursuit of a the country’s first major trophy since 1966.
He led England to the quarter-finals of three major tournaments in succession, including the World Cups of 2002 and 2006.
England will pay tribute to his life at Wembley next month, when the Three Lions play Finland in the Nations League on September 10.
FA CEO Mark Bullingham said: “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.”
In a post on X on Monday, Prince William, the FA’s patron, wrote: "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."
Prime Minister Sir Keir aso paid tribute saying “Deeply saddened to hear that Sven-Goran Eriksson has passed away.
We are deeply saddened that Sven-Göran Eriksson, who managed the #ThreeLions from 2001 to 2006, has passed away aged 76.
— England (@England) August 26, 2024
Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time.
Rest in peace, Sven. You will be greatly missed ❤️ pic.twitter.com/aLtqWAG8K4
“He will be remembered for his tremendous contribution to English football which brought joy to so many over the years. Our thoughts are with his family.”
They joined the football world who have also been paying their respects.
In January, Eriksson revealed that he had been told he had “best case” a year to live after being diagnosed with cancer.
There was a huge outpouring of support and love towards the Swede from former players and fans, and in March he was given the opportunity to coach his beloved Liverpool in a ‘Legends’ match at Anfield.
Eriksson admitted he had shed tears before and after the match, and said: “To sit on the bench for Liverpool, that’s been my dream my whole life. Now it happened, and it was a beautiful day in all meanings.
“It’s a good finish, to finish with Liverpool, it can’t be much better than that.”
Current Football Association chief executive Mark Bullingham paid tribute to Eriksson on behalf of the governing body.
“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,” Bullingham said.
“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.”
Italian lawyer Nancy Dell’Olio has paid tribute to her “ex-husband” Eriksson.
The 63-year-old, who was in a relationship with the Swedish football manager from 1998 to 2007, said she chose to “remember the good times” despite their relationship having its “ups and downs”.
The pair’s relationship received a huge amount of press attention while Eriksson was England manager, and made headlines when the Swede had affairs with TV personality Ulrika Jonsson and Football Association secretary Faria Alam.
In a post on Instagram, Dell’Olio described Eriksson as her “ex-husband” though the pair had not previously been thought to have been married.
She said: “It is with a heavy heart that I share the passing of my ex-husband, Sven.
“Though our relationship had its ups and downs, I choose to remember the good times we shared and the moments that brought joy to our lives.
“I will always hold onto those cherished memories and extend my deepest condolences to his family, as well as his beloved children, Lina and Johan.
“When you love someone, that love never truly fades. Rest in peace, Sven. You will be missed.”
