PHOTO: Bildbyrån
Swedish football is in mourning.
Today came the news that Sven-Göran Eriksson has passed away.
One of Sweden’s most successful coaches ever turned 76 years old.
It was at the beginning of 2024 that Sven-Göran Eriksson plucked up the courage to announce to everyone that he was seriously ill with cancer. An incurable one and that he would at best have a year left to live.
“Svennis” is dead
Since then, the Swedish coaching icon has been praised in the football world and everyone has shown their great gratitude for his fine coaching career. But today came the inevitable news that “Svennis” has passed away in the aftermath of his cancer.
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He was 76 years old and will be remembered as one of Swedish football’s biggest coaching profiles and the most successful. On social media, tributes and condolences poured in for Mr. Eriksson who was so incredibly appreciated in all his clubs.
Feat with Blåvitt
Svennis broke through in small Degerfors, but it was in IFK Göteborg that he had his big breakthrough and would write Swedish sports history. In 1982, Blåvitt won both the SM gold, the Swedish Cup and stood for one of the greatest feats of all time by winning the Uefa Cup.
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He then took the step out to Europe and landed the top job at Benfica. There, too, it would be a big success by winning the Portuguese league outright and then defending the championship the following year.
Loved in Italy
The transfer team then went on to Italy and here Sven-Göran would become immensely popular after coaching jobs in Roma, Fiorentina, Sampdoria and Lazio. The latter team led the Swede to the club’s most successful period in history with the Italian Cup title in 1998, victory in the Cup Winners’ Cup in 1999 and the unforgettable Serie A title in 2000.
In 2001, Svennis then became the first foreign national team captain ever for the English A national team. He managed England for five years and took the great nation to three straight quarter-finals in the 2022 World Cup, the 2004 European Championship and the 2006 World Cup.
READ MORE: When “Svennis” named his dream eleven for the whole of England – the Swede’s participation makes everyone drop their jaws
The Swede has since been national team coach for Mexico, the Ivory Coast and the Philippines as well as some odd jobs in China and also the English clubs Manchester City, Leicester and Notts County.
The very last job was as an advisor to IF Karlstad. Today, the football world mourns the passing of Sven-Göran Eriksson.
Rest in peace, Svennis! ❤️🌹
Born: 5 February 1948 in Sunne.
Clubs as players: Torsby, Sifhälla, Karlskoga.
Clubs as coaches: Degerfors (1977–1978), IFK Gothenburg (1979–1982), Benfica, Portugal (1982–1984), Roma, Italy (1984–1987), Fiorentina, Italy (1987–1989), Benfica (1989–1992), Sampdoria , Italy (1992–1997), Lazio (1997–2001), Manchester City, England (2007–2008), Notts County, England (Sporting Director 2009–2010), Leicester, England (2010–2011), Tero Sasana, Thailand ( sporting director 2012), al-Nasr, United Arab Emirates (technical advisor 2013), Guangzhou, China (2013–2014), Shanghai (2014–2016), Shenzhen, China (2016–2017), IF Karlstad (sporting advisor 2022–2023) .
Countries as confederation captains: England (2001–2006), Mexico (2008–2009), Ivory Coast (2010), Philippines (2019).
Main merits: Swedish champion, cup champion and Uefa cup champion with IFK Göteborg, league and cup champion with Benfica, cup champion with Roma, Sampdoria and Lazio. Italian champion and winner of the Cup Winners’ Cup with Lazio. Reached the quarter-finals with England in WC 2002, EC 2004 and WC 2006.
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