Sven-Göran Eriksson dies aged 76
Sachin Nakrani
Sven-Göran Eriksson, England’s first overseas manager and winner of multiple honours at club level, has died at the age of 76.
Eriksson revealed in January 2024 that he had been diagnosed with terminal cancer and that he likely had “at best” about a year to live. He had stood down from his final job, as sporting director at Karlstad in his native Sweden, the previous February because of what he described at the time as “health issues which are under investigation”.
Eriksson’s death was confirmed by Bo Gustavsson, the former Lazio coach’s agent in Sweden, via his UK PR agent, Dean Eldredge of Oporto Sports. Gustavsson said Eriksson had died on Monday morning at home surrounded by family.
Eriksson’s managerial career spanned more than four decades, beginning in Sweden with Degerfors IF before he took charge of IFK Göteborg. Eriksson was 30 at the time and barely known to the players of one of the country’s leading clubs, but he was unfazed and proved a huge success, leading Göteborg to the Swedish title and the Uefa Cup in 1982.
That led to Eriksson being appointed manager of Benfica and, again, he proved a success, winning two league titles and reaching another Uefa Cup final in 1983. This time he was on the wrong side of the result after a 2-1 aggregate defeat by Anderlecht.
Eriksson’s star was on the rise, however. He moved on to Roma and then Fiorentina before returning to Benfica in 1989, leading the Portuguese club to another league title and, in 1990, a European Cup final, where they lost to Milan. That led to a return to Italy with Sampdoria, whom he led to a Coppa Italia triumph in 1994, before a move to Lazio where Eriksson was backed in the transfer market by the club’s wealthy president Sergio Cragnotti and repaid that faith with a Serie A title in 2000. It was only the second time the Rome club had won Italy’s biggest prize.
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Key events
Paul Hayward
The great Paul Hayward has written this consideration of the football life – and beyond of – Eriksson.
At his zenith, Eriksson was managing England while attracting interest from Chelsea, Manchester United, Barcelona and Inter. Until front-page splashes broke its trance, the Football Association of the time fell into a rearguard to keep him in the England tracksuit. Eriksson was lined up to become the next Manchester United manager until Sir Alex Ferguson reversed his plan to retire. Ferguson would ask United players returning to the training ground from England duty: “What does Eriksson do, what’s his secret, what has he got?”
The game Englishmen will recall Sven most fondly for is, of course, Germany 1-5 England in September 2001, a World Cup qualifier.
The German team England faced in Munich had themselves been through a state of panic after a poor Euro 2000. When national manager Erich Ribbeck was sacked, the coming force in German football was Leverkusen’s Christoph Daum, but a personal scandal meant the job stayed vacant and Rudi Völler was the replacement drafted in.
A sad, strange coincidence is that Daum himself died from cancer at the weekend just gone. Völler, the stand-in who stayed on, took Germany to the 2002 World Cup final. England, of course, lost to eventual winners Brazil in the quarter-finals but they would always have Munich, Michael Owen’s hat-trick and Emile Heskey celebrating on the wheels of steel.
Germany: Kahn, Worns (Asamoah 46), Böhme, Linke, Nowotny, Hamann, Rehmer, Ballack, Jancker, Deisler, Neuville (Kehl 78). Subs not used: Lehmann, Bierhoff, Kehl, Baumann, Ziege, Klose.
England: Seaman, G Neville, Ashley Cole, Gerrard (Hargreaves 77), Ferdinand, Campbell, Beckham, Scholes (Carragher 82), Heskey, Owen, Barmby (McManaman 65). Subs not used: Southgate, Martyn, Fowler, Andy Cole.
Referee: P Collina (Italy).
Bayer 04 trauert um Christoph Daum
Der ehemalige Trainer der Werkself ist am Samstag im Alter von 70 Jahren gestorben.
Daum hatte die Werkself zwischen 1996 und 2000 zu drei Vizemeisterschaften und drei Teilnahmen an der UEFA Champions League geführt. Die Nachricht von seinem… pic.twitter.com/055U03mMRE
— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04fussball) August 25, 2024
In 2000, Sven – one of those rare people in football and public life known by their first name – came to English football in a time of flux. Kevin Keegan had quit the England team in dramatic circumstances, and Peter Taylor had assumed temporary charge. England were homeless, with Wembley being rebuilt, and many might remember his first game in charge – a 3-0 friendly win over Spain at Villa Park – saw broadcaster Sky give the viewers the choice of a “SvenCam” to watch the new manager. Different times indeed.
That first England team: James, Phil Neville, Powell, Butt, Ferdinand, Campbell, Beckham, Scholes, Andy Cole, Owen, Barmby. Subs: Gary Neville, Martyn, Brown, Ehiogu, Phillips, Sheringham, Fowler, Heskey, Lampard, Carragher, Wright, Ball, McCann.
And in the opposing midfield: Pep Guardiola.
Spain: Casillas, Manuel Pablo, Romero, Guardiola, Abelardo, Mendieta, Raul, Enrique, Urzaiz Aranda, Helguera, Unai. Subs: Sergi, Canizares, Victor, J. Etxeberria, Javi Moreno, Baraja, Paco.
The English public last got to meet Sven when he achieved a lifetime’s ambition in being the manager of Liverpool in a charity match with Ajax in March.
The tributes are pouring in from English football but he was a major figure in Sweden, Italy and Portugal, too. When England turned to him in that winter of 2000, they turned to one of the world’s great managers, who had delivered success through the 1980s and 1990s. After England, he travelled far and wide, and there are a couple of jobs he might have had – he was signed up to be Blackburn boss in December 1996, but then reneged, and then in 2002 was all but signed up to manage Manchester United, only for Sir Alex Ferguson to renege on his retirement plans. A different manager, a players’ manager, and someone who enjoyed life, too.
The prime minister, Sir Keir Starmer, has passed on his condolences.
Deeply saddened to hear that Sven-Goran Eriksson has passed away. 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.
Deeply saddened to hear that Sven-Goran Eriksson has passed away.
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.
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) August 26, 2024
I’m handing over the blog to John Brewin now. He’ll helm the rest of our coverage.
Many on social media have been sharing this clip from Amazon Prime’s documentary Sven, in which Eriksson reflects on his illness, life and death. It’s a very moving insight into the man he was.
“I have no pain… but I know it’s there”
Sven-Göran Eriksson opens up about being diagnosed with cancer.
𝐒𝐯𝐞𝐧, a new documentary on his extraordinary life and career, available on Prime Video from 23 August 📺 pic.twitter.com/3UDNXYuuZc
— Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) August 21, 2024
England have issued a statement on X, which reads: “We are deeply saddened that Sven-Göran Eriksson, who managed the #ThreeLions from 2001 to 2006, has passed away aged 76. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time. Rest in peace, Sven. You will be greatly missed.”
We are deeply saddened that Sven-Göran Eriksson, who managed the #ThreeLions from 2001 to 2006, has passed away aged 76.
Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time.
Rest in peace, Sven. You will be greatly missed ❤️ pic.twitter.com/aLtqWAG8K4
— England (@England) August 26, 2024
Our picture desk has put together a gallery of Eriksson’s career in football, from his playing days to his last jobs in management.
Eriksson’s children celebrate ‘good and positive person’
A statement has been issued by Eriksson’s children, which reads: “Our father Sven-Göran Eriksson fell asleep peacefully in his home at Björkefors outside Sunne this morning. He has for a long time fought bravely with his illness, but now it came to an end.
“Our thoughts go out to Sven-Göran’s father Sven; girlfriend Yaniseth and her son Alcides; to his brother Lasse and wife Jumnong, as well as to all good friends and acquaintances in Sweden and around the world.
“Dad told us at the beginning of this year about his serious illness and received an amazing response from friends and football fans around Europe. He was invited to several football teams in England, Italy, Portugal and Sweden. They shared their love for football and for dad. It was unforgettable for both him and us. He expressed his appreciation and joy and stated that such beautiful words are usually only uttered when someone has died.
“‘I get to hear it while I’m alive and I’m incredibly grateful for that. The heart beats twice and the tears come. I have had the best job in the world and I was happy every day for long periods. It’s been fantastic,’ he said.
“We have shared his gratitude and got to experience the wonderful meetings between him, football and all his friends. We thank everyone for these positive memories and your support during his illness.
“We hope that you will remember Svennis as the good and positive person he always was both in public and at home with us. Lina and Johan Eriksson.”
Manchester City, another of Eriksson’s former clubs, have added to the commemorations, tweeting: “We would like to express our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Sven-Göran Eriksson, who has passed away at the age of 76. Rest in peace, Sven.” Lazio, where Eriksson had an enormously successful spell between 1997 and 2001, tweeted an image of their former manager accompanied by the message: “Thank you for everything you’ve done for us, mister.”
‘A true gentleman of the game’: Prince William pays tribute to former England manager Sven-Göran Eriksson
Tom Bryant: In a personal tribute to the former England manager Sven-Göran Eriksson, the Prince of Wales called him a “true gentleman of the game”.
In a post on X signed W, William said: “Sad to hear about the passing of Sven-Göran 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”
Sad to hear about the passing of Sven-Göran 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
— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) August 26, 2024
After the sad news of Sven-Göran Eriksson’s death, his former clubs have been among the first to pay tribute.
Benfica, where he won three league titles across two spells and was a European Cup runner-up in 1990, tweeted: “It is with deep regret that Sport Lisboa e Benfica mourns the death of Sven-Göran Eriksson, at 76 years of age. Rest in peace, Mister.” Fiorentina, where he had a two-year stint between 1987 and 1989, tweeted: “Fiorentina joins the [football] family in mourning the passing of Sven Göran Eriksson.” Sampdoria, where he was manager between 1992 and 1997 and won the Coppa Italia, tweeted “Ciao Sven”, accompanied by a blue heart.
IFK Göteborg, where he won the Uefa Cup in 1982, issued a statement which read: “When Svennis came to IFK Göteborg in 1979, he made a huge impression on Swedish football. Also abroad, he lined up successes with Benfica, Roma, Sampdoria and Lazio – to name a few.
“We remember Svennis for that, but we also remember him for his warmth, curiosity, openness and joy. Thanks for all the memories, Svennis. We will never forget you.”
Sven-Göran Eriksson dies aged 76
Sachin Nakrani
Sven-Göran Eriksson, England’s first overseas manager and winner of multiple honours at club level, has died at the age of 76.
Eriksson revealed in January 2024 that he had been diagnosed with terminal cancer and that he likely had “at best” about a year to live. He had stood down from his final job, as sporting director at Karlstad in his native Sweden, the previous February because of what he described at the time as “health issues which are under investigation”.
Eriksson’s death was confirmed by Bo Gustavsson, the former Lazio coach’s agent in Sweden, via his UK PR agent, Dean Eldredge of Oporto Sports. Gustavsson said Eriksson had died on Monday morning at home surrounded by family.
Eriksson’s managerial career spanned more than four decades, beginning in Sweden with Degerfors IF before he took charge of IFK Göteborg. Eriksson was 30 at the time and barely known to the players of one of the country’s leading clubs, but he was unfazed and proved a huge success, leading Göteborg to the Swedish title and the Uefa Cup in 1982.
That led to Eriksson being appointed manager of Benfica and, again, he proved a success, winning two league titles and reaching another Uefa Cup final in 1983. This time he was on the wrong side of the result after a 2-1 aggregate defeat by Anderlecht.
Eriksson’s star was on the rise, however. He moved on to Roma and then Fiorentina before returning to Benfica in 1989, leading the Portuguese club to another league title and, in 1990, a European Cup final, where they lost to Milan. That led to a return to Italy with Sampdoria, whom he led to a Coppa Italia triumph in 1994, before a move to Lazio where Eriksson was backed in the transfer market by the club’s wealthy president Sergio Cragnotti and repaid that faith with a Serie A title in 2000. It was only the second time the Rome club had won Italy’s biggest prize.
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