Sven-Goran Eriksson, Swedish coach who was first foreigner to lead England team, dies at 76

Sven-Goran Eriksson, iconic football manager, dies at 76 after storied career in club and national teams worldwide.

Sven-Goran Eriksson, the Swedish football manager who spent five years as England’s first ever foreign-born coach after making his name winning trophies at club level in Italy, Portugal and Sweden, died Monday (August 26, 2024). He was 76.

Eriksson died at home surrounded by his family, his agent Bo Gustavsson told The Associated Press.

His death followed eight months after he revealed he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and had at most one year to live.

That news led to Eriksson receiving a surge of affection and tributes from his former players and clubs, a biographical documentary being made, and a visit to his favorite club Liverpool which invited him to be manager for the day at a charity game.

“As a coach, Sven-Goran was both a great innovator and a true ambassador of our beautiful game,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino, one of many leading figures in the sport to pay tribute to Eriksson on Monday.

Fondly known as “Svennis” in his native Sweden, Eriksson had a modest, nine-year playing career before retiring at the age of 27 and embarking on what proved to be a nomadic coaching career that reached its peak when he was hired by England in 2001.

Within months, he led an underachieving team to a stunning signature win — 5-1 against Germany in Munich in a World Cup qualifying game.