Former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson dies

Former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson has died at the age of 76, his family has said.

Eriksson had pancreatic cancer and at the beginning of the year revealed he only had a year to live “at best”.

“Sven-Goran Eriksson has passed away,” his family said in a statement.

“After a long illness, SGE died during the morning at home surrounded by family.”

Sven-Goran Eriksson dies – latest: Prince William leads tributes

It added: “The closest mourners are daughter Lina; son Johan with wife Amana and granddaughter Sky; father Sven; girlfriend Yanisette with son Alcides; brother Lars-Erik with wife Jumnong.

“The family asks for respect for their wish to mourn in private and not be contacted.”

The Swede became the first foreign manager of the England men’s football team in 2001, coaching the so-called “golden generation” of players including David Beckham, Steven Gerrard, Wayne Rooney, and Frank Lampard.

Among those paying tribute was Prince William, President of the FA, who said in a statement shared on social media: “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.”

During his career, Eriksson managed a string of high-profile European clubs such as Benfica, Roma, Fiorentina, Sampdoria and Lazio.

Eriksson left the England role after the 2006 World Cup and would later manage Mexico and the Ivory Coast, as well as English clubs Manchester City and Leicester City.

Due to his health issues, he stepped down as sporting director at Swedish club Karlstad in February 2023.

After announcing his cancer diagnosis, Eriksson was granted his lifelong wish when he led out Liverpool Legends, as they played in a charity match against Ajax at Anfield in March.

He described that moment as “absolutely beautiful” and a “huge memory” in his life, with Liverpool winning the game 4-2.

Paying tribute, Liverpool said: “The thoughts of everyone at the club are with Sven’s family and friends at this extremely sad time.”

Speaking previously, Eriksson said he hoped to be remembered as “a good man”

“I had a good life. I think we are all scared of the day when we die, but life is about death as well,” he said, speaking at the end of the Amazon Prime documentary ‘Sven’.

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He added: “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. Bye.”

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