Former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson has admitted he was “stupid” to cheat on his ex-partner but insisted he “didn’t do anything criminal” and that sex should be celebrated.
The 76-year-old Swede, who in January announced he has "probably less than a year to live", candidly discussed his affairs and relationships in a 107-minute Amazon Prime documentary titled "Sven".
Eriksson, the national side's first foreign manager, spoke frankly about his infidelities, including his affairs with television presenter Ulrika Jonsson and former FA secretary Faria Alam.
Reflecting on his affair with Jonsson, Eriksson said: "Sex is one of the good things in life for all of us. She was not married. I was not married. Probably I was stupid but I think I didn't do anything criminal. I didn't really disturb anyone."
The film also features Eriksson's long-time partner, Italian lawyer Nancy, 62. She admits she nearly left Eriksson after his fling with Jonsson but was advised by her lawyer to give him another chance.
She said: "The stupidity of Sven. After Sven's first scandal, I wanted to leave him. I couldn't want to admit to myself that there was a possibility that I made a mistake.
“That I left everything for him. My lawyers said give him another chance but think what you can get from this."
She added: "The first impression that I had about Sven, people in power always have extra, extra sex appeal. I felt in love. It wasn't something that I was looking for. I was married and I left my husband to start my journey with Sven.
“We were Sven and Nancy since the first date. I was the first lady of English football and there was never going to be another one after me."
Reflecting on their relationship, Eriksson said: "She loved it. The tension. She was a lady from the upper classes in Rome. She liked to go out with important people. In the beginning I didn't react very much. But you don't change people at a certain age. It was not peace in my house always."
The film also features Alam, now 58, who reveals how Eriksson encouraged her to profit from their 2004 affair. She says: "The Noughties were just that, they were naughty. You could do so many things. I'll be honest, I was a beautiful girl and I attracted a lot of attention. He said, 'Tell your story, go and tell them everything. Make some money, why not?'."
The documentary, which includes footage of Eriksson battling pancreatic cancer at his home in Sweden, offers an intimate look at the former manager's life both on and off the pitch.
