Photo: Bildbyrån
The move to Genoa was fatal for Sven-Göran Eriksson and his family.
Now ex-wife Anki Eriksson Graves speaks out about the decision that resulted in divorce.
– The children and I were no longer happy with the life we were living, she says in the SVT documentary “Svennis”.
On August 26 this year, the legendary football coach died Sven-Göran Eriksson of cancer, he lived to be 76 years old. The Värmlänningen not only won the Allsvenskan and the Uefa Cup with IFK Göteborg, he also made a name for himself in major European clubs such as Benfica, Roma, Fiorentina, Lazio and Manchester City. In addition, he managed the England national team between 2001 and 2006.
Sven-Göran Eriksson’s marriage to Anki
Svennis met his wife Anki Eriksson Graves (then Pettersson) during high school in Åmål. They married in 1977 and had their first child, the son Johan45, a few years later. When the daughter Lina37, came had the family moved to Rome, but the daughter was born in Karlstad. However, Sven-Göran only had time to see her come into the world before he was forced to return to the Italian capital.
READ MORE: Nancy Dell’Olio opens up about the late Sven-Göran Eriksson
The family lived an itinerant life. When Svennis got the coaching job at Sampdoria and moved to Genoa, his ex-wife Anki had enough. She understood that the marriage was over.
– The children and I were no longer happy with the life we were living. For the first time, the children had also started hitting the rear. We simply didn’t have a family life. So says Johan: “When are we going to be a normal family again?” When I noticed that football was more important than us to Svennis, then I knew that our marriage was over. Then we had the conversation that I couldn’t imagine moving for the rest of my life, says Anki in the new SVT documentary “Svennis”, which is broadcast in two parts.
Svenni’s words about the divorce
For Sen-Göran, it was five years as a coach in Sampdoria before he moved to Lazio and won Serie A. The success gave him his dream job in England. He admits in the documentary that his work has not only brought him unforgettable memories and successes – it has also cost him a lot.
– Looking back, I have been a big egoist when it comes to football. Because it has meant… Yes, children mean a lot. Wife means a lot. And so on. And football. I must have been crazy. Changing jobs was completely unthinkable for me, he says.
READ MORE: Unknown anger is revealed after “Svenni’s” passing – now the truth comes out: “A crap boot – always thought so”
Eriksson had several relationships after his marriage to Anki, including with the Italian woman Nancy Dell’Olio and the Panamanian Yaniseth Alcides. However, he never remarried. He regrets that his marriage with Anki ended in divorce.
– It was probably my fault. Or maybe it was football’s fault. The price is still very high to pay for a divorce. It’s not something I wish even on my worst enemy, he says.
It is incredibly tragic when a marriage or relationship ends like that. Svennis prioritized his work most there and then, it cost him his family life. Later in adulthood, the relationship with the children improved again.
Rest in peace, Sven-Göran. No other Swedish football coach has come close to doing what you managed to do.
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