David Beckham leads tributes to Sven-Goran Eriksson, who has died aged 76

Former captain says he will be ‘forever grateful’ to England’s first foreign manager, who died of cancer

David Beckham led the tributes to former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson, who will be honoured at Wembley next month after he died of cancer at the age of 76.
The football world is mourning the coach who led England’s qualification to two World Cups and a European Championship, having enjoyed a stellar club career that included 18 trophies.
Eriksson named Beckham his England captain during his tenure as manager of the national team and the former Manchester United and Real Madrid midfielder posted a heartfelt message on social media. The Prince of Wales was also among those who paid tribute to the Swede.
Beckham said: “We laughed, we cried and we knew we were saying goodbye … Sven, thank you for always being the person you have always been, passionate, caring, calm and a true gentleman.
“I will be forever grateful for you making me your captain but I will forever hold these last memories of this day with you and your family. Thank you Sven and in your last words to me ‘It will be OK’.”
The Prince of Wales wrote on X: “I met him several times as England manager and was always struck by his charisma and passion for the game.
“My thoughts are with his family and friends. A true gentleman of the game.”
England take on Finland in the Uefa Nations League at Wembley next month in interim coach Lee Carsley’s first game in charge and Eriksson will be honoured before the kick-off.
Mark Bullingham, chief executive of the Football Association, said: “Sven will be rightly recognised and forever remembered for his significant work with the England team, and for his wider contribution to the game. He will be much missed.”
Former England captain Wayne Rooney said: “Rest in peace, Sven. A special man. Thanks for the memories and all your help and advice. Thoughts and prayers with all his family and friends.”
Rooney’s England team-mate, Michael Owen, who was the hat-trick hero in the 5-1 rout of Germany in Munich in 2001 that proved the highlight of Eriksson’s reign as manager, described him as “one of the very best”.
Eriksson was inundated with well-wishes after he revealed a terminal diagnosis earlier this year. That respect for his career has now become sorrow at his death. The Swedish flag was lowered to half mast at Fifa’s headquarters on Monday and president Gianni Infantino said: “He was both a great innovator and a true ambassador of our beautiful game. As a football person, he always led with enthusiasm and with a smile.”
Eriksson’s spells at IFK Goteborg, Benfica and Lazio elevated his status for a time in the late 1990s to one of the most sought-after coaches of his generation, but it was for his colourful reign in charge of the Three Lions that he will be most remembered in this country.
Despite some resistance against the idea of a foreign coach taking charge of England, Eriksson was headhunted by then Football Association’s chief executive Adam Crozier in 2001 and his impact was immediate as he led the country to the 2002 World Cup. 
The victory away in Germany instantly silenced those doubting the wisdom of his appointment and was the high watermark in his five-year reign. That night in Munich has entered English football folklore even if – like Eriksson’s spell in charge – it promised more than it delivered.
Eriksson could not take England the extra step to win a major tournament, and opinion is a divided about his time in charge and his legacy, but those who worked alongside him recognised that he approached the job as he did life – determined to savour every moment.
One of Eriksson’s last engagements was to fulfil a lifelong dream to manage Liverpool, the side he supported and had long wished to coach.
The Merseyside club granted that wish in a charity match last March, and paid its own tribute.
“Rest in peace, Sven-Goran Eriksson. The thoughts of everyone at the club are with Sven’s family and friends at this extremely sad time,” they posted on X.
As England’s first overseas coach, Eriksson led the team during a period when the nation’s football personalities dominated the front as well as back pages, the wives and girlfriends – or WAGs as they became known – synonymous with the era.
Eriksson was at the forefront of that, finding himself the subject of constant tabloid interest after dating TV presenter Ulrika Jonsson, having cheated on his Italian partner Nancy Dell’Olio. He also caused a stir at the FA when it emerged he had conducted an affair with one of its secretaries, Faria Alam, in 2004.
At the time, such stories made Eriksson an occasionally controversial figure. Tales of the soap operas in his private life seemed to add to his charm, although after leaving England his reputation as a coach suffered and he never reached the same heights as it did in his glory days.
He returned to club football to manage Manchester City, and also had spells at Leicester City and Notts County, before returning to international football in a variety of roles.
A statement from his family read: “Sven-Goran Eriksson has passed away. After a long illness, Sven died during the morning at home surrounded by family. The closest mourners are daughter Lina; son Johan with wife Amana and granddaughters Sky; father Sven; girlfriend Yanisette with son Alcides; brother Lars-Erik with wife Jumnong.
“The family asks for respect for their wish to mourn in private and not be contacted. Condolences and greetings can be left on the website http://www.svengoraneriksson.com.” Eriksson revealed in January that he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and had “best case a year” to live.
A documentary about his life released on Amazon last week contains a poignant farewell message from Eriksson.
“I hope you will remember me as a positive guy trying to do everything he could do,” he says.
“Don’t be sorry, smile. Thank you for everything, coaches, players, the crowds, it’s been fantastic. Take care of yourself and take care of your life. And live it.”
“I hope you will remember me as a positive guy trying to do everything he could do,” he adds.
“Don’t be sorry, smile. Thank you for everything, coaches, players, the crowds, it’s been fantastic. Take care of yourself and take care of your life. And live it.”
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