Sven Goran Eriksson’s final written words have been published on the day before his funeral.
Eriksson passed away on August 26 after a long battle with pancreatic cancer, with countless tributes since paid to the Swede, including football clubs across the world giving their respects.
The former England manager revealed in January that he had ‘best case a year’ to live following his diagnosis, and he was surrounded by his family as he passed away a little over a two weeks ago.
With permission from his family, Eriksson’s final column, which was left unfinished due to his declining health, was published by The Telegraph, in which he wrote about doing his best to enjoy life to its fullest.
Eriksson wrote: ‘Life is to be celebrated. I always had that attitude. How do I best illustrate that? Well, you may have heard the story one of my old players, Didier Hamann, tells about me when I was sacked by Manchester City in 2008.’
Eriksson went onto tell the story with Hamann, which involved the former midfielder being unaware of his boss’ sacking, and asking what the duo, alongside Eriksson’s former assistant Tord Grip, were celebrating when champagne was brought to the meeting.
‘Celebrate life.,’ Eriksson continued. ‘That has always been my mindset – whatever is thrown at you.
‘Since I was given the news that I had terminal cancer, it has been difficult. I had days when I felt very bad, and other days when I felt OK. Through it all though, I always tried to live every day with a smile on my face. You have to stay positive.’
He would also go onto speak of the response from the public to his diagnosis, which resulted in unwavered support flooded his way.
In March, Eriksson was afforded the chance to achieve a lifelong dream of managing Liverpool as he took charge of former Reds players in a charity match. Tributes were also paid to him inside Anfield in just one example of the love he received upon the news breaking.
‘The response from the public has been wonderful. It has given me energy and positivity. I have cried a lot over the past few months. They have been happy tears, mostly. I would like people to remember me as a decent coach who tried to do his best. I hope they enjoyed me being their manager.
‘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 will be laid to rest in his native Sweden next Friday, September 13, with the funeral to be held at 10am local time.
It will take place in Fryksande Church in Torsby, Sweden, with the service to be followed by a procession to Kollsbergs hembygdsgard, a rural community museum, where speeches and eulogies will be given.
The press release also gave details of the dress code, stating that formal clothing of a dark suit is required, with a bag and photography prohibition in place in the church.
‘Svennis’, as he was known in Sweden, led a ‘golden generation’ of England players including David Beckham, Paul Scholes, Frank Lampard, Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard.
The father-of-two’s children Lina and Johan praised him for having ‘fought bravely with his illness’ and said he ‘fell asleep peacefully in his home at Bjorkefors’.
Football Association patron Prince William, following his death, described him as a ‘true gentleman of the game’, while Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer praised him for his ‘tremendous contribution to English football which brought joy to so many over the years’.
Eriksson’s father, 95, meanwhile, also named Sven, told Expressen of the funeral: ‘I’m not too keen on it […] when there are a lot of people. But you have to consider that it is a sign of how popular he was.
‘I don’t like funerals, it should be nice when it’s over. I hope it will feel a little easier after it. That grief is not felt in the same way.’
Eriksson’s tenure was remembered almost as much for what happened off the field as on it – after romances with Italian lawyer Nancy Dell’Olio, Swedish TV host Ulrika Jonsson and former FA secretary Faria Alam during his time as England coach.