Sven-Goran Eriksson’s escapades made England smile despite no silver lining for ‘Golden Generation’
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One of football’s great characters, Sven-Goran Eriksson is now preparing for the most significant challenge of all.
After revealing a terminal cancer diagnosis which he says could leave him with ‘at best’ a year to live, Eriksson will now be acutely aware just how admired and respected he is from the outpouring of support which has flowed after he announced the news.
He will approach this battle with the relentless positivity that has defined his career – and what a life it has been so far.
From leading the glorious Lazio team of the Nineties to Serie A glory, to winning countless trophies with Benfica and Gothenburg, Eriksson has an outstanding list of achievements to look back on.
In this country, he will forever be associated with the roller coaster that was his five-and-a-half years with England and the so-called Golden Generation.
Thrashing of Germany taught England fans how to dream
What a fun ride it was – and it wasn’t as bad as people made out, either. The remarkable 5-1 thrashing of Germany in Munich taught England fans how to dream.
There were disappointing quarter-final exits in two World Cups and the European Championship, yet it was never dull. He was an intelligent, savvy operator who played his part in transforming the philosophy of football.
He had perhaps the most gifted set of England players to call on, with Wayne Rooney at the peak of his powers alongside Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Michael Owen.
“Sad news this morning,” Rooney said. “Thoughts are with Sven Goran-Eriksson and his family. A brilliant coach and a special person. Loved and respected by everyone. We’re all with you Sven, keep fighting.”
Eriksson will always regret that the ‘golden era’ did not include winning a trophy, but it is testament to his character that those ex-players still speak so warmly of him today.
He was perhaps even more notorious for what happened off the field, with the tabloid titillation – some of which was obtained by illegal means – that enthralled everybody.
Indeed, there is a fondness and affection for the era of the coach who advised his players on how to be discreet about their private life as much as how to break down opposition defences.
International manager or international playboy? He was perfectly adept in both roles, and even appeared to revel in it. There were the high-profile romances with TV presenter Ulrika Jonsson and FA secretary Faria Alam, the not-so-secret meetings with Chelsea’s Roman Abramovich, and the ‘fake Sheikh’ sting which ultimately ended his England era.
His time in English football did not end there, though. In the Premier League he managed Manchester City and the stories did not let up. Dietmar Hamann, the former City midfielder, once told a wonderful tale which perfectly captured Eriksson’s colourful approach to life.
Eriksson was coming to the end of his tenure at Manchester City while on a post-season tour to Thailand.
“One morning when I was on a sun lounger by the pool, he walked towards me with a bottle of champagne and two glasses on it,” Hamann said.
“It was still only 10 in the morning. I looked up and said, ‘Boss, what are we celebrating?’ expecting him to make the triumphant announcement he was staying.
“He turned to me and smiled that gentle smile of his and took the air of a Buddhist philosopher, as he said, ‘Life, Kaiser. We are celebrating life’.”
Telegraph Sport was fortunate to spend just under two hours with Eriksson in November 2022, a week before the start of the Qatar World Cup. Geoff, our photographer, and I were invited to Sven’s glorious country house in Sunne, next to Lake Fryken, in western Sweden.
He was charming, hospitable and great company. No subjects were off limits, and he addressed them all, from his England regrets to the tabloid stings and his weakness for women. We even managed to fit in a game of pool.
On that morning, he politely pointed out that he was due for an appointment with Karlstad, a lower-league club, over the position of sporting director. He went on to take the job, but had to step down quickly after the cancer diagnosis early last year.
That will be his last role in football, after almost five decades of management and coaching. He started in 1978 with Degerfors IF, and cannot have envisaged the success which would follow.
Eriksson will fight this new battle with dignity and refuse to wallow in self-pity. At least he will know while he is alive how many people like him.
