Swedish Football Legend Sven-Göran Eriksson Passes Away After Brave Battle with Cancer

The renowned Swedish football coach had been fighting a battle against pancreatic cancer for an extended period.

On Monday, he passed away with his family around him, informs his agent Bo Gustavsson in a press release.

– It went very quickly in the end, and this morning he fell asleep at home, surrounded by family, says Gustavsson to SVT Sport.

In a documentary on Amazon Prime called “Sven” that came out earlier in August, Eriksson said the following:

– I have had a good life. I think we are all afraid of the day we die, but life is also about death. You have to learn to accept it for what it is. Hopefully, people will eventually say: “Yes, he was a good man,” but not everyone will say that.

– I hope you will remember me as a positive guy who tried to do everything he could. Don’t be sad, smile. Thank you for everything, coaches, players, fans, it has been amazing. Take care of yourself and take care of your life. And live it.

Svennis’ last message

In a joint statement, Eriksson’s two children Lina and Johan thank for the support during their father’s illness.

– Our father Sven-Göran Eriksson passed away quietly in his home in Björkefors outside Sunne this morning. He has bravely fought against the illness for a long time, but now it is over.

– Our thoughts go to Sven-Göran’s father Sven, his partner Yaniseth and son Alcides, brother Lasse and wife Jumnong, as well as to all good friends and acquaintances in Sweden and around the world. We have shared his gratitude and experienced the wonderful meetings between him, football, and all his friends. We thank you all for the good memories and the support you have given us during the illness.

They also share a last message from their father before he passed away.

– I get to hear it while I live, and I am incredibly grateful for that. The heart beats twice, and the tears come. I have had the best job in the world, and I was happy every day for long periods. It has been amazing, he says through his two children.

Celebrated by former clubs

The man who went by the nickname “Svennis” is Sweden’s greatest football coach of all time.

He has led several clubs throughout his career, but he is most known for managing the English national team from 2001 to 2006. He was the first non-English coach to lead the “Three Lions”.

During his time as a football manager, he has led clubs such as Benfica, Roma, Fiorentina, Sampdoria, Lazio, and Manchester City.

After Svennis’ cancer diagnosis became known, the Swede has received his well-deserved tribute for his accomplishments as a coach. Among other things, he led his favorite team Liverpool when the club’s legends faced Ajax at Anfield.

In the past year, he has traveled around Europe visiting his former clubs, where he has received his tributes.

– Dad told us at the beginning of the year about his serious illness and received an amazing response from friends and football fans around Europe. He was invited to several football clubs 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 gratitude and joy and said that such beautiful words are usually only said when someone is dead, say Eriksson’s two children Lina and Johan Eriksson in a statement.

Svennis receives tribute from the Lazio fans back in May.

See the video from when Svennis was celebrated by his former club Göteborg at the top of the article.

He started his coaching career with Degersfors in 1977. But it was with IFK Göteborg that he made his breakthrough as a coach. In 1982 he won the UEFA Cup title with the club.

He led Lazio to the Serie A title in 2000 and claimed three league titles with Benfica in Portugal. As England’s national team manager, he took the proud football nation to two World Cups and one European Championship.

Prince William: – A true gentleman

The passing of the coaching icon is felt across large parts of football Europe.

– This is a very sad day. He gave all of England’s fans such special memories. No one can ever forget the 5-1 victory in Munich against Germany under Sven’s leadership, says FA director Mark Bullingham in a press release.

– Sven will rightly be recognized and forever remembered for his significant work with the England national team, and for his broader contributions to football, he continues.

He also informs that the late coach will be honored before the international match against Finland in September.

For the British royal family, the news is heavy to hear.

– Sad to hear of the passing of Sven-Göran Eriksson. I met him several times as England’s manager and was always struck by his charisma and passion for the game. My thoughts go to his family and friends. A true gentleman, writes Prince William on X.

The football world in mourning

A number of the Swede’s former clubs are reacting to the death on X: