Sign up for Miguel Delaney’s Reading the Game newsletter, delivered free straight to your inbox
Sign up for Miguel Delaney’s free weekly newsletter
Sign up for Miguel Delaney’s free weekly newsletter
Wayne Rooney described Sven-Göran Eriksson as “a special man” as tributes were paid to the former England manager following his death on Monday.
Eriksson gave Rooney his international debut in 2003 and, when he left after the 2006 World Cup, urged fans not to kill the teenage star, whom he described as the “golden boy of English football”.
The Swedish coach, who led 67 games for the England national team, announced earlier this year that he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and died at the age of 76 surrounded by his family.
Former England captain Rooney wrote on X: “Rest in peace, Sven. A special man.”
“Thank you for the memories and all your help and advice. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.”
Rooney’s old England team-mate Michael Owen, who was the hat-trick hero in the 5-1 victory over Germany in Munich in 2001, the high point of Eriksson’s tenure as manager, described the Swede as “one of the very best”.
“Rest in peace Sven-Göran Eriksson. One of the very best and a man who will be sorely missed by everyone in the world of football,” Owen wrote.
David James, who was England’s first-choice goalkeeper under Eriksson and started every game at Euro 2004, wrote: “I am saddened to hear of the passing of Sven-Göran Eriksson. He was a gentleman, a great man and a great coach.”
England captain Harry Kane, whose international career began after Eriksson’s time as coach, paid tribute to the Swede in a post on Instagram.
Kane said: “I didn’t have the privilege of playing under Sven but I know how popular and respected he was by those who played under him as England manager. My thoughts are with his family and friends at this time.”
In an interview with Sky Sports News, Eriksen’s former coach and later successor as England manager Steve McClaren recalled his old boss’s love of red wine and a rare occasion when he lost his nerve.
He said: “The only time he lost control was probably with (assistant coach) Tord Grip when he brought the wrong bottle of red wine one night!”
Among the dozens who paid their tribute to Eriksson were Eriksson’s former clubs Manchester City, Leicester and Notts County.
A statement from City said: “Manchester City would like to extend our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Sven-Göran Eriksson, who has passed away aged 76.
“Flags around the Etihad Stadium are flying at half-mast in honour of our former manager. The Swedish coach was in charge of City during the 2007/08 season, a season that many fans remember fondly.”
Sven was a great man, a model of life for everyone. These last months, which he lived with great strength and a unique will to live, were further proof of his greatness: he taught us to live while he was dying.
Inter Milan coach Simone Inzaghi
A statement from Leicester said the club was “deeply saddened” by Eriksson’s death, while Notts County said: “Our thoughts are with his family at this very sad time.”
Former Football Association chief executive David Davies paid tribute to him on Sky Sports, saying: “I think it was his charm, his politeness, his intelligence and his kindness, his immense friendliness over many years. He was outwardly unflappable.”
Martin O’Neill, chairman of the League Managers Association, said: “I am saddened to hear of the passing of Sven-Göran Eriksson. On the few occasions our paths crossed, he was extremely polite and quite genteel, with a real sense of humour.
“He always brought shine with him and we will miss him very much.”
Eriksson’s influence on the game was reflected in the messages coming from clubs at all levels across Europe.
Eriksson first rose to fame with IFK Gothenburg, winning the UEFA Cup in 1982.
“Thank you for all the memories,” says a club statement. “Sven-Göran Eriksson made his breakthrough as a coach at IFK Göteborg. Here he became Swedish champion, cup winner and UEFA Cup winner.”
“We remember Svennis for that, but we also remember his warmth, curiosity, openness and joy.”
Inter Milan coach Simone Inzaghi thanked Eriksson for the influence he had on his career when he played under the Swede at Lazio and won the Serie A title with him in the 1999/2000 season, among other things.
“The death of Sven-Göran Eriksson pains me greatly,” Inzaghi said on Inter’s website.
“He was fundamental to my development as a footballer and as a person. I admired his calmness, his education and the great respect he showed everyone.
“Sven was a great person, a role model for life for everyone. These last months, which he experienced with great strength and a unique will to live, were further proof of his greatness: he taught us to live while he was dying.”
