Cancer battle lost

Coaching legend Sven-Göran Eriksson is dead

Sven-Göran Eriksson

(Bild: ASSOCIATED PRESS, Krone KREATIV)

The soccer world is mourning the loss of Sven-Göran Eriksson. The former England national team manager has lost his battle against pancreatic cancer at the age of 76.

At the beginning of the year, Eriksson announced that he was suffering from pancreatic cancer and that he only had a year to live at best. Only recently, in a clip from the documentary "Sven", the Swede declared that he would be remembered as a positive person.

"I think we're all afraid of the day when it's over, when we die. But life is also about death. You have to learn to accept it for what it is. Hopefully, in the end, people will say: 'Yes, he was a good man'," said Eriksson. 

UEFA Cup winner with Gothenburg
Eriksson surprisingly won the UEFA Cup with IFK Gothenburg in 1982. During his decades-long coaching career, the former defender went on to coach numerous clubs such as Benfica Lisbon, AS and Lazio Rome as well as Manchester City and several international teams. The European Football Union condoled on the X platform, saying that everyone in the association was deeply saddened by the news of Eriksson's death. "Rest in peace, Sven," wrote UEFA.

His greatest post on the international soccer stage was probably from 2001 to 2006: he was the first foreigner ever to coach the England national soccer team, which the Swede led to the quarter-finals at the 2002 World Cup, the 2004 European Championship and the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

"A true gentleman of the game"
Prince William, heir to the British throne and patron of the English Football Association (FA), paid tribute to Eriksson in a message on X. It was sad to learn of his death. He had met Eriksson several times during his time as England coach and had been impressed by his charisma and passion for soccer. "My thoughts are with his family and friends. A true gentleman of the game."

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer wrote on X that Eriksson would be remembered for his great contribution to English soccer. The Football Association (FA) spoke of a very sad day. "He gave England fans such special moments," said FA chief executive Mark Bullingham on X. No one could ever forget the 5-1 win over Germany in Munich under his leadership. "He will be greatly missed. And we will honor him when we play Finland at Wembley next month."

In Sweden, "Svennis" is considered the greatest soccer coach the country has ever had. After his cancer diagnosis was announced, the Scandinavian country's sporting elite paid tribute to him, as did many companions from his time in England.

A match as Liverpool coach
Until the very end, Eriksson tried to remain positive in public and face the disease with cheerfulness. At the end of his life on the coaching bench, he was able to fulfill his heart's desire in March and coach Liverpool FC in a legends match at Anfield Road. He had been invited by the Reds' coach at the time, Jürgen Klopp.

Ex-Austria coach Christoph Daum died of cancer on Saturday, and now the soccer world has lost another big name ...