Former England and Ivory Coast manager Sven-Goran Eriksson has died at the age of 76 following a long battle with illness.
The Swede, who was the first foreign manager of the Three Lions and coached the Elephants to Ivory Coast to the 2010 FIFA World Cup, passed away on Monday.
A statement from the former football manager’s family read: “After a long illness, Sven-Goran Eriksson died during the morning at home surrounded by family.
“The closest mourners are daughter Lina; son Johan with wife Amana and granddaughter Sky; father Sven; girlfriend Yanisette with son Alcides; brother Lars-Erik with wife Jumnong.
“The family asks for respect for their wish to mourn in private and not be contacted.
“Condolences and greetings can be left on the website www.svengoraneriksson.com.”
Eriksson became England’s national team coach in 2001, and for a five-year period until 2006, he tutored the nation’s “golden generation,” which included players like David Beckham, Steven Gerrard, Wayne Rooney, John Terry, and Frank Lampard, leading the Three Lions to the quarterfinals at three major tournaments.
He took over the reins, leading the Ivorian national team to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, where they were knocked out in the group stage despite having four points after playing out a goalless draw against Portugal and beating North Korea 3-0.
Eriksson announced in January that he had been diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer, adding that he had “at best” a year to live.
The Swede, however, returned to the dugout, managing Liverpool in a ceremonial charity match between the Reds Legends and Ajax in March at Anfield.
Eriksson held 16 managerial positions, including coaching 12 clubs, the likes of City, Leicester City, Fiorentina, Roma, and Lazio, winning 18 trophies.
Following an early retirement as a player at the age of 27, Eriksson began his managerial career with Degerfors in 1977, winning the Swedish title. Two years later, he joined fellow Swedish side Gothenburg, where he got two Swedish cups and the 1982 UEFA Cup.
Shortly after, he went on to coach Portuguese side Benfica on two occasions, winning five titles, including three league titles. He coached Italian sides Roma, Fiorentina, Sampdoria, and Lazio, winning seven trophies, including the Serie A title, two Italian Cups, and the European Cup Winners’ Cup.
Earlier this month, Eriksson, in his documentary film ‘Sven’, shared a touching message with fans, saying he hoped ‘to be remembered as a positive guy.’
He said: “I hope you will remember me as a positive guy trying to do everything he could do.
“Don’t be sorry, smile. Thank you for everything, coaches, players, the crowds, it’s been fantastic. Take care of yourself and take care of your life. And live it.”
