KEIR RADNEDGE COMMENTARY —– Sven-Goran Eriksson achieved many notable ‘firsts’ in football but he deserves to be honoured above all for the dignity with which he confronted his death, now confirmed at the age of 76.
Eriksson turned IFK Gothenburg into the first Swedish winners of a European club competition, achieved major success in Italy with Lazio and Portugal with Benfica before trying his hand at national team football.
He was, amid controversy, England’s first non-British manager and led them to the quarter-finals at three major tournaments during his five-year spell in charge between 2001 and 2006. One of his most famous results was a 5-1 win over Germany in Munich to help the Three Lions qualify for the 2002 World Cup.
His tenure was marked by stories about his private life, including newspapers revealing relationships with television presenter Ulrika Jonsson in 2002 and former Football Association secretary Faria Alam in 2004.
Eriksson’s later career spiralled down through a string of brief club and country appointments before retirement.
Then, this past January, Eriksson announced he had “at best” a year to live after being diagnosed with cancer. A statement from children Lina and Johan said: “Our father Sven-Goran Eriksson fell asleep peacefully in his home at Bjorkefors outside Sunne this morning. He has for a long time fought bravely with his illness, but now it came to an end.
“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. We hope that you will remember Svennis as the good and positive person he always was both in public and at home with us.”
Eriksson managed 12 clubs, including Manchester City, Leicester, Roma and Lazio, winning 18 trophies in addition to spells in charge of Mexico, Ivory Coast and Philippines. In March the long-time Liverpool fan helped lead a Liverpool Legends team to a 4- victory over an Ajax Legends side at Anfield.
He said: “To finish with Liverpool, it can’t be much better than that.”
Coaching career
Eriksson, after retiring as a player at 27, began his managerial career with Degerfors in 1977 before joining IFK with whom he won the league title, two domestic cups and the 1982 UEFA Cup.
He then went on to enjoy two spells with Portuguese giants Benfica as well as managing Italian sides Roma, Fiorentina, Sampdoria and Lazio – where he won seven trophies including the Serie A title, two Italian Cups and the European Cup Winners’ Cup.
Tributes . . .
World federation FIFA lowered Sweden’s flag to halfmast at its Zurich headquarters. President Gianni Infantino said: “As a coach, Sven-Goran was both a great innovator and a true ambassador of our beautiful game.
“As a football person, he always led with enthusiasm and with a smile. On behalf of FIFA and our global community, I send my condolences to Sven-Goran’s family and friends at this difficult time.”
Mark Bullingham, ceo of the Football Asssociation, said: “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.
“Sven will be rightly recognised and forever remembered for his significant work with the England team, and for his wider contribution to the game. He will be much missed, and we will pay tribute to him when we play Finland at Wembley next month.”
Other tributes included:
UEFA: “On behalf of the European football community, everybody at UEFA is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Sven-Goran Eriksson. A beloved figure in the game, Sven was a UEFA Cup winner as coach of IFK Goteborg in 1982 before leading Lazio to the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup in 1999. Rest in peace, Sven.”
FA president Prince William: “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.”
Former England forward Michael Owen: “Rest In Peace Sven-Goran Eriksson. One of the very best and a man who will be sadly missed by everyone in the world of football.”
Premier League: “We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former England and Manchester City manager Sven-Goran Eriksson. Our thoughts and condolences are with Sven’s family and friends.”
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