The family of Sven-Goran Eriksson have shared details about the former England manager’s funeral.
Eriksson passed away on August 26 after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. Tributes have poured in for the Swede, including football clubs across the country who paid their respects over the weekend.
Eriksson announced in January that he had “only a year” to live after his diagnosis. He passed away just over a week ago, surrounded by his family.
In the meantime, arrangements have been made to say a final farewell to the former Three Lions manager, who became the first foreign manager of the England national team in 2001 and was in charge of 67 matches until 2006.
Via Hendrik WinterEriksson’s family has shared details about the funeral, which will take place next week.
The family of Sven-Goran Eriksson have revealed details about the former England manager’s funeral
Eriksson will be buried in his native Sweden next week, after dying just over a week ago.
The football world will say goodbye to Eriksson, who was 76 years old when he passed away, on September 13.
Eriksson will be buried next Friday, September 13, in his native Sweden. The funeral will take place at 10:00 local time.
The service will take place in Fryksande Church in Torsby, Sweden. After the service, there will be a procession to Kollsbergs hembygdsgard, a village community museum, where speeches and eulogies will be given.
The press release also detailed the dress code: formal clothing (a dark suit) is required, and carrying bags and taking photos is prohibited in the church.
Visitors were also warned to arrive early, as parking is limited in Torsby due to the annual market, and doors close at 10am and seating is limited.
The publication was accompanied by a photo of Eriksson sitting there smiling.
‘Svennis’, as he was known in Sweden, led a ‘golden generation’ of English players including David Beckham, Paul Scholes, Frank Lampard, Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard.
The father of two, Lina and Johan, praised him for “bravely fighting his illness” and said he “fell asleep peacefully in his home in Bjorkefors”.
Prince William, patron of the English Football Association, described him after his death as a “true gentleman of the game”, while Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer praised him for his “enormous contribution to English football, which has brought so much joy over the years”.
Prince William, patron of the Football Association, described Eriksson after his death as a ‘true gentleman of the game’
Eriksson’s father, now 95 years old and also named Sven, said Express of the funeral: ‘I’m not that fond of it […] when there are a lot of people. But you have to remember that it is a sign of how popular he was.
“I don’t like funerals, it has to be nice when it’s over. I hope it feels a bit easier afterwards. You don’t feel that sadness in the same way.”
Eriksson’s time was almost as much remembered for what happened off the pitch as it was on it. He had romances with Italian lawyer Nancy Dell’Olio, Swedish TV presenter Ulrika Jonsson and former English Football Association secretary Faria Alam when he was England manager.
Eriksson also managed Swedish, Portuguese and Italian clubs and won major honours in the 1980s and 1990s before moving to England.
Beckham, meanwhile, shared a heartbreaking tribute to his former boss on social media, sharing a clip of the pair walking, talking and laughing together outside what appears to be Eriksson’s home in Sunne.
There was no date on the video, but it emerged after Eriksson revealed earlier this year that Beckham had visited him with a private chef and a crate of expensive wine from key years in the manager’s career.
The caption read: ‘We laughed, we cried and we knew we were saying goodbye.
One of the Swede’s former players, David Beckham, paid tribute to his friend on social media
Eriksson made a total of 67 appearances for England, managing the team from 2001 to 2006
‘Sven, thank you for always being the person you always were: passionate, caring, calm and a true gentleman.
‘I will be eternally grateful to you for making me your captain, but I will cherish these last memories of this day with you and your family forever. Thank you Sven and in your last words to me: “It will be alright”.’