Sven-Goran Eriksson: A Legacy in Football

Legendary Swedish football manager Sven-Goran Eriksson, known for leading the England national team and various clubs to success, passed away at 76 due to pancreatic cancer. Celebrated for his positive demeanor and innovative coaching, Eriksson left a significant mark on football globally.

Swedish football manager Sven-Goran Eriksson, who became the first foreigner to lead the England national team, passed away on Monday at the age of 76. Eriksson, known for his charismatic coaching style, led clubs in Sweden, Portugal, and Italy to major trophies during the 1980s and 1990s before taking the reins of the England team in 2001. Earlier this year, he announced that he was terminally ill with pancreatic cancer.

His long-time agent, Bo Gustavsson, confirmed that Eriksson lost his battle with the illness early Monday morning, surrounded by family. 'We knew it was going to end badly; everything progressed quickly in the final weeks,' Gustavsson said.

Despite his illness, Eriksson remained positive, thinking of others until the very end, Gustavsson added. Eriksson guided England to the quarter-finals of the 2002 and 2006 World Cups, and to the 2004 European Championship, managing a squad filled with stars like David Beckham and Wayne Rooney.

In Sweden, known affectionately as 'Svennis,' Eriksson was lauded as an innovative sports leader. 'Svennis was a soccer innovator and a very popular person who maintained his core values despite all his international success,' Sweden's Minister of Social Affairs Jakob Forssmed said on social media platform X.

Post-England, Eriksson also coached Manchester City, Leicester City, and other international teams. He realized a career goal by managing a Liverpool team in a charity game last March. 'Rest in peace, Sven-Goran Eriksson. The thoughts of everyone at the club are with Sven's family and friends during this extremely sad time,' Liverpool conveyed on X.

(With inputs from agencies.)