"A true gentleman"

Ex-team boss dead: emotional message from Beckham

David Beckham (left) mourns the loss of his former team manager Sven-Göran Eriksson.(Bild: AFP/ARIS MESSINIS)

Huge mourning in the sports world: Swedish coaching legend Sven-Göran Eriksson is dead. Numerous former companions have spoken out. Including David Beckham, who published an emotional video.

"We laughed, we cried and we knew we were saying goodbye ... Sven, thank you for always being the person you always were, passionate, caring, calm and a true gentleman," writes Beckham via Instagram. And adds a special video. It's a clip from his last meeting with Eriksson - watch it here:

"I will forever be grateful to you for making me your captain, I will cherish these last memories of this day with you and your family forever," says the global star. Eriksson 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.

Sven-Göran Eriksson (left) coached the England national team.(Bild: AP/Martin Rickett)

Heart's desire fulfilled
Eriksson himself revealed in January 2024 that he was terminally ill with pancreatic cancer. Until the very end, he had tried to remain positive in public and face the disease with cheerfulness.

At the end of his life on the trainer's bench, he was able to fulfill a great wish in March: At the invitation of Jürgen Klopp, he was given the opportunity to coach his favorite club, Liverpool FC, in the legends match against Ajax.