Former England coach Sven-Göran Eriksson dies at the age of 76 after battling cancer
Former English football coach Sven-Göran Eriksson has died at the age of 76 from the effects of incurable pancreatic cancer.
The Swedish head coach, who said in January he had “a year to live at best” after his diagnosis, was the first foreigner to coach the England national team in 2001.
Eriksson led the team to the quarter-finals at the 2002 and 2006 World Championships and the 2004 European Championship.
He coached a golden generation of players including David Beckham, Paul Scholes, Frank Lampard, Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard.
Eriksson also led Swedish, Portuguese and Italian clubs to major trophies in the 1980s and 1990s before taking over as England coach.
Bo Gustavsson, an agent in Sweden who worked with Eriksson, said in a statement released today: “Sven-Göran Eriksson has passed away.”
Sven-Göran Eriksson in a current Amazon Prime documentary about his life entitled “Sven”
Sven-Göran Eriksson with his partner Yaniseth Alcides on January 22 in Stockholm, Sweden
Sven-Göran Eriksson next to the Englishman Wayne Rooney at the 2006 World Cup in Germany
Sven-Göran Eriksson during a match between Liverpool and Ajax Legends at Anfield on March 23
Sven-Göran Eriksson with Steve McClaren and Tord Grip in Munich in September 2001
Prince William speaks with England head coach Sven-Göran Eriksson on the team bus in June 2006
Sven-Göran Eriksson speaks with then Prime Minister Tony Blair in Downing Street in 2006
Sven-Göran Eriksson during a match between Liverpool and Ajax Legends at Anfield on March 23
Sven-Göran Eriksson speaks with captain David Beckham during the 2004 European Championship in Lisbon, Portugal
“After a long illness, SGE died this morning at home surrounded by his family.”
“The closest mourners are daughter Lina, son Johan with wife Amana and granddaughter Sky, father Sven, girlfriend Yanisette with son Alcides and brother Lars-Erik with wife Jumnong.”
“The family asks that their wishes to mourn privately and not be contacted be respected. Condolences and greetings can be left on the website www.svengoraneriksson.com.”
More to follow
