Swedish football coach Sven-Göran Eriksson, who coached England’s national team from 2001 to 2006, has died at the age of 76 from the effects of pancreatic cancer.

Eriksson was the first foreigner to coach the England national team – and also led Swedish, Portuguese and Italian clubs to major trophies in the 1980s and 1990s before taking over as England coach in 2001.

The charismatic manager announced in January that he was suffering from incurable pancreatic cancer.

Eriksson’s longtime agent Bo Gustavsson told his family early Monday that Eriksson had lost his battle with cancer.

“We knew it would end badly, everything happened very quickly in the last few weeks,” said Gustavsson.

“I have been fascinated by him for a long time. He was always so positive and had time for others and never thought about himself, and he was that way until the end,” the agent added.

Eriksson led England to the quarter-finals of the 2002 and 2006 World Cups and the 2004 European Championships, coaching a golden generation of players including David Beckham, Paul Scholes, Frank Lampard, Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard.

We are deeply saddened that Sven-Göran Eriksson, the head of the #ThreeLions from 2001 to 2006, has died at the age of 76.

Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time.

Rest in peace, Sven. We will miss you very much ❤️ pic.twitter.com/aLtqWAG8K4

— England (@England) 26 August 2024

“Charisma and passion for the game”

In his native Sweden, where he is known simply as “Svennis”, Eriksson was hailed as a great sports leader.

In January, he told public broadcaster Sveriges Radio that his doctor had told him he had “perhaps a year left to live at best” and a little less at worst.

“We knew about it, but it happened very quickly. We were not prepared for it to happen today,” Gustavsson told AFP news agency.

Eriksson was born on February 5, 1948 in Sunne, western Sweden, and after his modest career as a defender, he was successful as a football coach.

In 1977, he became coach of the Swedish club Degerfors IF. After leading the small club to success in lower leagues, he attracted the attention of larger clubs.

He then coached Swedish club IFK Göteborg before enjoying international success, coaching Benfica in Portugal and several Italian teams, including Roma and Lazio.

His most famous position was that of the first foreigner to coach the England national team, which he left in 2006 after five years in charge.

Eriksson then coached the teams of Mexico, Ivory Coast and the Philippines, but never the national team of his native Sweden.

Prince William of England, President of the English Football Association, praised Eriksson as a “true gentleman”.

“I am saddened to hear of the passing of Sven-Göran Eriksson. I met him several times when he was England manager and was always impressed by his charisma and passion for the game,” he wrote on X.

“My thoughts are with his family and friends. A true gentleman of the game.”

It is sad to hear of the passing of Sven-Göran Eriksson. I met him several times when he was England manager and was always impressed 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) 26 August 2024

Although Eriksson failed to end England’s wait for their first major trophy since the 1966 World Cup, his teams produced some memorable performances, including a 5-1 victory over Germany in a World Cup qualifier in 2001.

“This is a very sad day. It has brought such special memories to all England fans. No one will ever forget the 5-1 victory in Munich against Germany under Sven’s leadership,” said FA chief executive Mark Bullingham.

Bullingham added: “Sven will be duly recognised and always remembered for his significant work with the England national team and his wider contribution to football.”

After resigning from his post as England manager in 2006, Eriksson coached Manchester City in the 2007/08 season and the Premier League club joined in the tribute to their former boss.

“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,” City said in a statement.

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. 🩵

— Manchester City (@ManCity) 26 August 2024

Liverpool gave Eriksson an emotional final football memory in March when he was able to fulfil a lifelong dream by refereeing a charity match at Anfield.

“Rest in peace, Sven-Göran Eriksson. The thoughts of everyone at the club are with Sven’s family and friends at this extremely sad time,” Liverpool said in a statement.

As coach of Lazio and Benfica, Eriksson won titles, lifted the UEFA Cup and Cup Winners’ Cup and reached the final of the European Cup during his memorable career.

The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) said: “On behalf of the European football community, everyone at UEFA is deeply saddened by the death of Sven-Göran Eriksson.”

On behalf of the European football community, UEFA deeply regrets the death of Sven Göran Eriksson.

Sven is a popular figure in football and won the UEFA Cup as manager of IFK Göteborg in 1982 before leading Lazio to the Cup Winners’ Cup in 1999.… pic.twitter.com/ZlNSFftl97

— UEFA (@UEFA) 26 August 2024