Sven-Goran Eriksson passes away at the age of 76
Sachin Nakulani
Sven-Goran Eriksson, England’s first overseas manager and a multi-honoured club manager, has died aged 76.
Eriksson said he had been diagnosed with terminal cancer in January 2024 and had “at most” a year left to live. He had resigned from his last job as sporting director at Karlstad in his native Sweden in February last year for what he described at the time as “health issues under investigation”.
Eriksson’s death was confirmed by the former Lazio manager’s agent in Sweden, Bo Gustafsson, through his British public relations agent Dean Eldredge of Oporto Sports. Gustafsson said Eriksson died at home on Monday morning surrounded by his family.
Eriksson’s coaching career spans more than 40 years, beginning with Degerfors IF in Sweden before taking over as manager of IFK Gothenburg. Eriksson was 30 years old and virtually unknown to the players at the country’s top clubs, but he remained unfazed and enjoyed great success, leading Gothenburg to the Swedish title and UEFA Cup in 1982.
As a result, Eriksson was appointed manager of Benfica and was again successful, winning two league titles and reaching another UEFA Cup final in 1983, this time losing 2–1 on aggregate to Anderlecht, an unlucky result.
But Eriksson’s star was on the rise. He moved to Roma and then Fiorentina before returning to Benfica in 1989 and leading the Portuguese club to another league title and then a European Cup final defeat to Milan in 1990. He then returned to Italy with Sampdoria, leading them to the Coppa Italia in 1994. He then moved to Lazio, where he was backed in the transfer market by the club’s wealthy chairman, Sergio Cragunotti, and repaid his faith with the Serie A title in 2000, the second time the Roman club had won Italy’s biggest prize.
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In a post on X signed W, William said: “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. W.”
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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
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Sven-Göran Eriksson, England’s first overseas manager and winner of multiple honours at club level, has died at the age of 76.
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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”.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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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Manchester City, one of Eriksson’s former clubs, also tweeted a tribute. “Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Sven-Goran Eriksson who has passed away aged 76. Rest in peace Sven.” Lazio, where Eriksson managed with great success between 1997 and 2001, tweeted an image of their former manager with the message: “Thank you for everything you did for us Mister.”
‘A true gentleman’: Prince William pays tribute to former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson
Prince Charles has paid a personal tribute to former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson, calling him “a true gentleman of football”.
In a post signed W for X, William said: “Sad to hear of the passing of Sven-Goran Eriksson. I met him on a number of occasions as England manager and was always impressed by his charisma and passion for football. My deepest condolences to his family and friends. A true gentleman in the world of football. W.”
I am saddened to hear of the passing of Sven-Goran Eriksson. I met him several times as England manager and was always impressed by his charisma and passion for football. My deepest condolences to his family and friends. A true gentleman in the world of football.
— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) August 26, 2024
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I am saddened to hear of the passing of Sven-Goran Eriksson. I met him several times as England manager and was always impressed by his charisma and passion for football. My deepest condolences to his family and friends. A true gentleman in the world of football.
— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) August 26, 2024
Following the sad news of the death of Sven-Göran Eriksson, The first to pay tribute were his former clubs.
Benfica, the club Eriksson played for twice, winning three league titles and finishing as runner-up in the European Cup in 1990, tweeted: “Sport Lisboa e Benfica deeply mourns the death of Sven-Goran Eriksson, who has passed away at the age of 76. Rest in peace, Mr.” Fiorentina, where Eriksson played for two years from 1987 to 1989, said: “Fiorentina [football] “The family mourns the passing of Sven-Goran Eriksson,” he said. Sampdoria players, who Eriksson coached from 1992 to 1997 and won the Coppa Italia with, tweeted “Ciao, Sven” along with blue hearts.
IFK Gothenburg, which won the UEFA Cup in 1982, released the following statement: “Svenis made a huge impact on Swedish football when he arrived at IFK Gothenburg in 1979. He also enjoyed success abroad with clubs such as Benfica, Roma, Sampdoria and Lazio.”
“We remember Svenis for that, but also for his warmth, curiosity, openness and joy. Thank you Svenis for all the memories. We will never forget you.”
Sven-Goran Eriksson passes away at the age of 76
Sachin Nakulani
Sven-Goran Eriksson, England’s first overseas manager and a multi-honoured club manager, has died aged 76.
Eriksson said he had been diagnosed with terminal cancer in January 2024 and had “at most” a year left to live. He had resigned from his last job as sporting director at Karlstad in his native Sweden in February last year for what he described at the time as “health issues under investigation”.
Eriksson’s death was confirmed by the former Lazio manager’s agent in Sweden, Bo Gustafsson, through his British public relations agent Dean Eldredge of Oporto Sports. Gustafsson said Eriksson died at home on Monday morning surrounded by his family.
Eriksson’s coaching career spans more than 40 years, beginning with Degerfors IF in Sweden before taking over as manager of IFK Gothenburg. Eriksson was 30 years old and virtually unknown to the players at the country’s top clubs, but he remained unfazed and enjoyed great success, leading Gothenburg to the Swedish title and UEFA Cup in 1982.
As a result, Eriksson was appointed manager of Benfica and was again successful, winning two league titles and reaching another UEFA Cup final in 1983, this time losing 2–1 on aggregate to Anderlecht, an unlucky result.
But Eriksson’s star was on the rise. He moved to Roma and then Fiorentina before returning to Benfica in 1989 and leading the Portuguese club to another league title and then a European Cup final defeat to Milan in 1990. He then returned to Italy with Sampdoria, leading them to the Coppa Italia in 1994. He then moved to Lazio, where he was backed in the transfer market by the club’s wealthy chairman, Sergio Cragunotti, and repaid his faith with the Serie A title in 2000, the second time the Roman club had won Italy’s biggest prize.
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