Former England Manager Sven-Göran Eriksson Laid to Rest in Sweden

International News: Former England Manager Sven-Göran Eriksson Laid to Rest in Sweden

Sven-Göran Eriksson, Former England Manager, Dies at 76

Former England football manager Sven-Göran Eriksson was laid to rest in his hometown of Torsby, Sweden, on 26 August, following his passing at the age of 76. Eriksson, who had been battling cancer, had publicly shared in January that he had less than a year to live. His funeral drew around 600 mourners, including football legend David Beckham, former England manager Roy Hodgson, and members of the Swedish royal family.

The service took place at Fryksände Church, beginning at 07:00 local time, and was conducted in both Swedish and English to accommodate the international audience of mourners. Hundreds gathered outside the church to watch the service on a large screen. Eriksson’s coffin was placed in a hearse following a guard of honor and was transported to Kollsbergs Hembygdsgård for burial.

Eriksson’s distinguished career spanned over four decades, during which he managed 12 clubs, including notable teams like Manchester City, Leicester, Roma, and Lazio. He won 18 trophies across various leagues, including the Serie A title and the European Cup Winners’ Cup with Lazio. He also managed national teams, including Mexico, Ivory Coast, and the Philippines.

Eriksson made history as the first non-British manager of the England national team, leading them to the quarter-finals in three major tournaments during his five-year tenure. His time as a coach was preceded by a short playing career, which ended at 27, before he transitioned into management, starting with Degerfors in 1977 and later joining Gothenburg, where he enjoyed significant success.

Eriksson’s funeral was a heartfelt tribute to a man who left an indelible mark on international football. His father, Sven, aged 95, along with his children Lina and Johan, greeted mourners as they paid their final respects to the legendary coach.