England legends Gary Lineker and Gary Neville lead tributes to former Three Lions manager Sven-Goran Eriksson following his death aged 76 after cancer battle

Gary Neville and Gary Lineker had led the tributes to former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson, who has sadly passed away, aged 76, following a battle with pancreatic cancer.  

The Swede, who was the first non-British coach to manage the Three Lions, had revealed in January, 2024, that he had been diagnosed with the condition. 

Speaking on his diagnosis, Eriksson had also stated that he had ‘at best’ only one year to live.

He also enjoyed a successful career in management, leading England to the quarter-finals of three major tournaments between 2001 and 2006. 

Eriksson had also overseen the development of England’s ‘Golden Generation’ of footballers, which included some of this countries greatest players including David Beckham, Gary Neville and Steven Gerrard. 

Former footballers have paid tribute to Sven Goran-Eriksson, following his passing, aged 76

Eriksson revealed he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in January, 2024 

England have also announced they will pay tribute to Eriksson during their upcoming friendly vs Finland

Eriksson managed Man City between 2007 and 2008, with the club issuing their condolences to his family 

Neville delivered his respects to his former manager, posting an image of Eriksson on his Instagram story, writing: ‘Rest in peace Sven.’

Ex-England and Leicester forward, Lineker also delivered his tribute to the manager, posting an image of Eriksson on his Instagram with the caption: ‘A genuinely lovely guy, RIP Sven.’

Micah Richards, who played under Eriksson at Manchester City, stated that the Swedish coach had helped him to play his best football.

‘Really sad to hear of Sven’s passing,’ Richards wrote on his Instagram story. ‘His man management was as good as I [have] ever experienced and it meant I could play my best football under him. Thank you for everything Sven. RIP.’ 

During his domestic management career, Eriksson would go on to win 18 major honours managing clubs around Europe. Eriksson would notably guide Lazio to the Serie A title in 2000 and also went on to win two Italian cups with the club.

Former Lazio star, Diego Simeone – who was a part of Eriksson’s Serie A winning side in 2000, published a picture of himself, his former manager and several other players celebrating a victory in the dressing room on his Instagram. 

The Atletico Madrid manager captioned the picture: ‘Thank you so much, mister. Rest in peace.’

Lazio also paid their respects on social media on Sunday, writing: ‘Sven-Goran Eriksson, 1948-2024. Thank you for everything you’ve done for us, mister.’

Diego Simeone, who worked under Eriksson at Lazio, wrote: ‘Thank you so much, mister. Rest in peace.’

FA chief executive Mark Bullingham stated that Eriksson ‘will be much missed’  

Eriksson had also overseen the development of England’s ‘Golden Generation’, which included Gary Neville (right)

During his five-year spell as England boss, Eriksson, oversaw 66 international matches. In his first major tournament in charge of the national side, he would lead the Three Lions to the quarter-finals of the 2002 World Cup, where England were bested 2-1 by Brazil. 

‘We are deeply saddened that Sven-Göran Eriksson, who managed the #ThreeLions from 2001 to 2006, has passed away aged 76,’ England wrote on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday.  

‘Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time.

‘Rest in peace, Sven. You will be greatly missed.’ The Lionesses replied to their post, writing: ‘Rest in peace, Sven’ with a heart emoji. 

England also added that they will celebrate the life of Eriksson during their game against Finland on September 10.  

The chief executive officer of the Football Association (FA), Mark Bullingham also paid his respects earlier today. 

He wrote in a statement: ‘This is a very sad day. He gave all England fans such special memories. No one can ever forget the 5-1 victory in Munich against Germany under Sven’s guidance.

‘Sven will be rightly recognised and forever remembered for his significant work with the England team, and for his wider contribution to the game.

‘On behalf of my colleagues at The FA, past and present, our thoughts are with his friends and family today. He will be much missed, and we will pay tribute to him when we play Finland at Wembley next month.’

Eriksson would also enjoy spells with English sides Leicester and Manchester City, with the Cityzens paying tribute to Eriksson online on Sunday afternoon. 

‘We would like to express our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Sven-Goran Eriksson, who has passed away at the age of 76,’ Man City wrote. 

‘Rest in peace, Sven.’

Former England goalkeeper David James has also recounted a story about how Eriksson helped him develop as a player. 

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, he said: ‘When Sven Goran-Eriksson took over the England job I had played the previous game and I didn’t have the best of games. He pulled me to one side for the next match and said: ‘I am going to play David [Seaman]’.

‘He then said: ‘You are really young and you’ll have pretty of opportunity in the future’- he then picked me a number of times, including Euro 2004.

‘One thing I used to laugh at – when we used to watch videos of the opposition, quite often the goalkeeper would make a mistake and he’d say: ‘He won’t be playing next game!’.

‘The way he dropped me, he was always honest and straight – he gave you a belief there would be another opportunity.’

City also delivered a touching gesture to their former manager and announced that they had lowered flags around the Etihad Stadium to half-mast. 

Sven-Goran Eriksson in a recent Amazon Prime documentary about his life, entitled ‘Sven’

The football manager was England boss between 2001 and 2006. Sven pictured with David Beckham after being dumped out of the 2006 World Cup by Portugal in the quarter-final

‘Flags around the Etihad Stadium will fly at half mast in honour of our former manager,’ City said in a statement. 

‘The Swedish coach was in charge of City for the 2007/08 season, which is a campaign fondly remembered by many supporters.

‘After taking over from Stuart Pearce, Eriksson oversaw the arrival of an influx of continental talent as City made a flying start to the campaign. He led the Blues to their first league double over Manchester United in 38 years as we finished ninth in the Premier League.

‘He took over at the Etihad Stadium in the summer of 2007 and following his exit at the end of the season, he remained involved in football until earlier this year.

‘The thoughts of everyone at Manchester City are with Sven’s family and friends.’

Leicester added on X: ‘Everyone at Leicester City Football Club is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our former Manager, Sven-Göran Eriksson.

‘Our thoughts are with Sven’s family and friends at this sad time.’

Benfica have also paid their respects to their former coach, who helped guide them to three league titles 

Eriksson enjoyed a successful career in management, leading England to the quarter-finals of three major tournaments 

The Swede, who was the first overseas manager of the England team, settles into his office at the FA’s headquarters in Soho Square after being appointed in 2001 

Eriksson was a popular figure at Lazio, having guided them to a series of major prizes

Prince William has also issued his condolences to Eriksson’s family and friends 

The Premier League wrote: ‘Eriksson will be fondly remembered by many’ and were ‘saddened’ to learn of his passing

Meanwhile, he also enjoyed success with Benfica, guiding the side to three Portuguese league titles. 

The Portuguese outfit delivered their respects to their former manager online on Sunday, writing on X (formerly Twitter): ‘It is with deep regret that Sport Lisboa e Benfica mourns the death of Sven-Göran Eriksson, at 76 years of age. Rest in peace, Mister.’ 

The football coach had also stated that it was his dream to one day coach Liverpool.  And earlier this year, he would fulfil that dream, after he was invited to manage Liverpool Legends side against Ajax Legends at Anfield.

On Sunday, Liverpool also paid tribute to the manager, writing in a post on X (formerly Twitter): ‘Rest in peace, Sven-Göran Eriksson.

Eriksson had recently been invited to manage Liverpool Legends side at Anfield in their game against Ajax

‘The thoughts of everyone at the club are with Sven’s family and friends at this extremely sad time.’

Eriksson also worked alongside FA Executive Adrian Bevington during his tenure with the Three Lions. 

Bevington said to Sky Sports: ‘Such sad news. Sven was a wonderful person. I owe him a lot and he will be greatly missed by so many. Sincere condolences to his family. Sven you lived a great life and were such a positive person to be around. Despite a crisis or 2 we always smiled. RIP.’ 

West Ham United also took to social media to express their condolences to his family and friends. 

‘Everyone at West Ham United is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former England manager Sven-Göran Eriksson,’ the east London club wrote. 

‘We send our deepest condolences to Sven’s family, friends and loved ones. Rest in peace, Sven.’

The Premier League also wrote on X: ‘We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former England and Manchester City manager Sven-Goran Eriksson. Our thoughts and condolences are with Sven’s family and friends.’

‘Sven-Goran Eriksson will be fondly remembered by many We look back on his lifetime achievements and contribution to English football.’

Trevor Sinclair was a part of the team that travelled to Asia for the 2002 World Cup also delivered a heartfelt tribute to his former manager, following his passing. 

‘Gutted & eternally grateful,’ he wrote with a broken heart emoji. ‘RIP Sven.’ 

Amazon Prime had released a documentary earlier this month, titled ‘Sven’, in which Eriksson reflected on his life in football and spoke out on his cancer diagnosis.

During the documentary, the former football coach said: ‘I hope you will remember me as a positive guy trying to do everything he could do.

‘Don’t be sorry, smile. Thank you for everything, coaches, players, the crowds, it’s been fantastic. Take care of yourself and take care of your life. And live it.’

‘I had a good life. I think we are all scared of the day when we die, but life is about death as well.

‘You have to learn to accept it for what it is. Hopefully, at the end people will say: ‘Yeah, he was a good man’. But everyone will not say that.’

Earlier this week, one of Eriksson’s close friends had given an update on his condition, stating that he was no longer able to go on one of his favourite walks.

The former football manager had been living in Sweden with his family and had also been fond of walking around Lake Fryken.

Speaking to The Mirror, Runebjer said: ‘I’ve seen Sven and how do I feel? I feel sad but I am happy to have known Sven and know that I can still see him. This is my reaction.

‘He is such a tremendous person,’ he added.

Several clubs from around the Premier League have paid their respects to the manager 

‘Lake Fryken is beautiful. It is 90 kilometres long from south to north and it is a beautiful landscape. You can see that in the pictures. You can definitely fish in that lake too.

‘But sadly his condition does not allow Sven to do that any more. It is a hard time for him.’

Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, also paid tribute on X, writing: ‘Deeply saddened to hear that Sven-Goran Eriksson has passed away. He will be remembered for his tremendous contribution to English football which brought joy to so many over the years. Our thoughts are with his family.’ 

FIFA president Gianni Infantino said of Eriksson: ‘I am deeply saddened to learn of Sven-Goran Eriksson’s passing.

‘As a coach, Sven-Goran was both a great innovator and a true ambassador of our beautiful game, winning domestic competitions in three different European countries together with two successes at continental level with IFK Goteborg and S.S. Lazio. 

‘A global influence, his career also included coaching national teams from four different continents with time spent in charge of England, Mexico, Cote d’Ivoire and the Philippines.

‘As a football person, he always led with enthusiasm and with a smile. On behalf of FIFA and our global community, I send my condolences to Sven-Goran’s family and friends at this difficult time. RIP.’