Sven-Goran Eriksson is dead. The legendary coach was 76 years old

The football world has been hit with the very sad news of Sven-Goran Eriksson’s death. The coach died at the age of 76. “Eriksson had been suffering from pancreatic cancer and recently managed to fulfil his life’s dream of managing the Anfield club. Rest in peace, Sven,” wrote journalist Fabrizio Romano on the X website.

A great coach has passed away – Sven-Goran Eriksson

Sven Goran Eriksson has managed big brands such as Manchester City, Leicester, Lazio Rome, which he led to the Italian championship. He has also worked in several national teams – England, Mexico, Ivory Coast and the Philippines.

Unfortunately, in February 2023, he resigned from his position as sports director of IF Karlstad. The reason was health problems. Unfortunately, they turned out to be very serious. The Swede was struggling with malignant pancreatic cancer.

Earlier this year, the 76-year-old announced that he had little time left. “I have a year to live, in the worst case, maybe less. Doctors can’t say exactly when,” he said in an interview with Swedish radio station P1.

Eriksson fulfilled his dream

Before his death, Sven-Goran Eriksson fulfilled his dream of leading Liverpool FC in a charity legends match against Ajax Amsterdam. After the match, he said:

“Today was a dream come true for me. I always wanted to manage Liverpool in at least one game, it was my favourite club since I was a kid,” he said.

Touching words from Sven-Goran Eriksson

Amazon Prime Video recently made a feature film called Sven. The main character is Eriksson, who talks about his life as a coach. The production also includes a speech by the 76-year-old, which was very moving. “I had a good life. I think we all fear the day we die. But that’s part of life. You have to learn to accept it as it is. I hope that in the end people will say, ‘yes, he was a good man.’ But not everyone will say that,” he confessed.

“I believe you will remember me as a positive guy who tried to do everything he could. Don’t be sad. Smile. Thank you for everything to the coaches, players, the audience gathering in the stands. It was fantastic. Take care of yourselves and your lives. Enjoy it to the fullest,” he concluded.