Sven-Göran Eriksson Reflects on His Career and Legacy in Poignant Final Column Before His Passing

Sven-Göran Eriksson, the former England manager who passed away on August 26 at the age of 76 after battling pancreatic cancer, left behind a heartfelt message in a final column written shortly before his death. Published ahead of his funeral in his hometown of Torsby, Sweden, the column, shared with the Daily Telegraph, captures Eriksson’s deep love for football and his reflections on life, career, and England's future.

In the piece, Eriksson described his appointment as England manager as "one of the happiest days" of his life. Despite achieving great success throughout his managerial career, leading clubs like Lazio, Benfica, and IFK Gothenburg, the honor of managing England remained a standout moment for him.

"Being appointed as the England manager was a huge honor, perhaps the highlight of my career," Eriksson wrote. "When I was asked if I wanted the job, I didn’t believe it. It was one of the happiest days of my life. The job is impossible to refuse. There were many highs."

Eriksson reflected on his time with England, a period where he helped shape a team filled with iconic players, including Wayne Rooney, whom he handed a debut in 2003. Yet, there was a sense of unfinished business, as Eriksson admitted he would have retired had he led the team to World Cup glory.

"If I had ever lifted a World Cup with England, I would have collected the trophy and then retired. It would have been perfect," he mused. However, he remained optimistic about the current team's potential, tipping them for future success. "Sooner or later, England will win a big trophy, and I think it could happen very quickly. There is such huge quality in that team."

After announcing his cancer diagnosis earlier this year, Eriksson faced an outpouring of love and support from the public, former players, and clubs. A lifelong Liverpool fan, he was given the honor of managing the club’s Legends team at Anfield in March, an experience he called "beautiful."

"The response from the public has been wonderful. It gave me energy and positivity. I have cried a lot over the past few months. They have been happy tears, mostly," Eriksson wrote, emphasizing how much the love from fans meant to him during his final months.

 

As Eriksson approached the end of his life, his reflections turned toward the importance of perseverance and living with joy. He urged others to embrace life fully and with resilience, offering a final message that encapsulated his philosophy: "My message to everyone would be: don’t give up. Never give up. Do not give up, is my message for life. And please don’t forget this: life is always, always to be celebrated."

Eriksson's legacy, both as a football manager and a person, was one of determination, grace, and a deep love for the game. His funeral, held on Friday in Torsby, was attended by family, friends, and football figures from across the world, who came to pay their respects to a man who touched so many lives during his illustrious career.

With a life that spanned great triumphs and challenges, Sven-Göran Eriksson leaves behind a lasting message of hope, resilience, and the celebration of life, both on and off the pitch.