Sven-Goran Eriksson: A Legacy in Football

Sven-Goran Eriksson, the iconic Swedish football manager, passed away at 76 after battling pancreatic cancer. Known for leading England and winning numerous titles across Europe, Eriksson’s pragmatic style and team-building prowess left a lasting legacy. His humane approach earned him widespread respect from players and fans alike.

Sven-Goran Eriksson, the charismatic Swedish football manager who became the first foreigner to lead the England national team, died on Monday at the age of 76.

Eriksson announced in January that he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. "After a long illness, SGE died during the morning at home surrounded by family," his family said in a statement.

Widely regarded as the greatest Swedish manager, Eriksson won major titles in his home country, Portugal and Italy before leading England in three major tournaments during the early 2000s. He gained international recognition by guiding Swedish club IFK Gothenburg to the UEFA Cup title in 1982.

Heavily influenced by English football in the 1970s and 80s, Eriksson used a pragmatic playing style and a 4-4-2 formation. His biggest strength was team-building with the right character. "The group is the most important thing. The whole club, including the masseurs and kitchen staff, we are all one group," he said.

Eriksson demanded Lazio's president sell captain Giuseppe Signori due to a poor attitude, replacing him with players like Veron and Mancini. Within six months, Eriksson won over fans and claimed seven trophies, including the club's second Italian league title.

Appointed England manager in 2001, Eriksson's tenure included a memorable 5-1 win over Germany. He guided England to the 2002 World Cup quarter-finals and managed a golden generation of players. Despite controversies, his humane approach earned him respect. Eriksson received heartfelt farewells after revealing his terminal cancer diagnosis in January.

(With inputs from agencies.)