Sven-Goran Eriksson, the former manager of England and Manchester City, has passed away at the age of 76, just months after being diagnosed with terminal cancer. Eriksson had revealed in January 2024 that he had been diagnosed with cancer and was given “at best” about a year to live. He had stepped down from his final role as sporting director at Karlstad in Sweden in February 2023 due to health issues that were being investigated at the time.
In a statement released on behalf of his family, it was announced, “After a long illness, SGE (Sven-Goran Eriksson) died during the morning at home surrounded by family.”
Eriksson’s managerial career spanned over four decades, during which he won 18 trophies. He began his coaching journey in Sweden with Degerfors IF before leading IFK Göteborg to the Swedish title and the UEFA Cup in 1982 at the age of 30. His success in Sweden led him to Benfica, where he continued to impress by winning two league titles and reaching another UEFA Cup final in 1983, although this time his team was defeated by Anderlecht.
In 2001, Eriksson made history by becoming the first foreigner to manage the English national team, leading them to the Korea-Japan 2002 World Cup. His appointment was met with mixed reactions, as some England supporters believed the role should have been reserved for an Englishman.
Throughout his career, Eriksson managed several clubs and national teams, including Manchester City, Leicester, Mexico, and, in 2019, the Philippines. In March 2024, he fulfilled a lifelong dream by managing Liverpool at Anfield in a charity match.
Eriksson leaves behind a legacy of success and a significant impact on the world of football, having been a respected figure both on and off the pitch.
