AN EMOTIONAL David Beckham said his final goodbye to Sven-Goran Eriksson alongside the former England manager’s family and friends at his funeral today.
Sven’s dad – also named Sven, his children Johan and Lina and partner Yaniseth Alcides attended the tearful service at Fryksande church in Sven’s home town of Torsby, Sweden.
Sven’s former longtime lover Nancy Dell’Olio, who reconciled with him after his terminal diagnosis, was pictured tearfully wiping her eyes.
She and Beckham – who captained the Three Lions during Sven’s time in charge from 2001 to 2006 – shared an embrace on arrival at the church.
Close pal Bengt Berg told the gathering: “You were both very ordinary and very unique – that is why you were so loved.”
Liverpool FC’s anthem You’ll Never Walk Alone and Jungle Book tune Bare Necessities were played by a local brass band as mourners lined the streets after the service.
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Funeral guests gathered in a nearby open air auditorium at Kollsberg homestead museum for “moments of joy” featuring music and poetry celebrating Sven’s life.
Beckham and Dell’Olio were among those seen touching the coffin there.
Sven succumbed to pancreatic cancer on August 26.
Sven-Göran Eriksson remembered
The funeral of Sven-Göran Eriksson was marked by heartfelt tributes and emotional farewells.
David Beckham, Roy Hodgson, Yaniseth Alcides, and Nancy Dell’Olio were among the attendees, with onlookers watching the ceremony from a big screen outside the church.
The service, held at Fryksande Church in Eriksson’s hometown of Torsby, transitioned to Kollsbergs Hembygdsgård museum by Lake Fryken, where close friends and family delivered their eulogies.
Roy Hodgson told Sky Sports: “It was the most incredible, beautiful ceremony… so typical of the Eriksson family and Sven himself to bring people from all parts of the world.”
A crowd gathered outside to observe the day’s events
Credit: Rex A day of tribute
Credit: Rex Credit: Rex Credit: Rex Credit: Rex
England’s emotional tribute
England paid a heartfelt tribute on Tuesday to Sven-Göran Eriksson ahead of their victory over Finland, sharing an emotional video on social media.
The tribute highlighted Eriksson’s best moments during his five years as England manager, including the memorable 5-1 win over Germany in 2001, where Michael Owen scored a hat-trick.
Roy Hodgson and David Beckham among attendees
Nancy Dell’Olio breaks down in tears
Nancy Dell’Olio, Sven-Göran Eriksson’s ex, became emotional during the funeral, saying, “A part of my life is gone forever.”
Eriksson cakes sold at Wienerkonditoriet cafe in Torsby
Credit: Yui Mok/PA Wire. Roy Hodgson with former England coach Tord Grip
Roy Hodgson first managed in Sven-Göran Eriksson’s native Sweden from 1976 to 1979, later taking charge of the Swedish national team from 1992 to 1995.
Hodgson is regarded as a legendary figure in Swedish football, credited with transforming the game during his time there.
He later followed in Sven’s footsteps, becoming England coach from 2012 to 2016.
Credit: Rex Daughter Lina Eriksson smiles in reflection
Credit: Sipa US/Alamy Live News
Yaniseth Alcides and David Beckham embrace
Credit: Rex Mourners pay respects
Family and friends line up to pay their final respects, with around 600 mourners dressed in black attending the funeral in Sweden.
Credit: Rex Reflecting on Eriksson’s football legacy
Sven-Göran Eriksson’s illustrious career was marked by significant achievements across continents.
His successes include leading IFK Göteborg to a prestigious Swedish Cup victory and guiding Lazio to an Italian Super Cup win.
He later managed England from 2001 to 2006, notably orchestrating a 5-1 triumph over Germany.
Sven-Göran Eriksson and David Beckham during their time together as England manager.Credit: Reuters Sven-Göran Eriksson is lifted by IFK Göteborg players in celebration after their victory in the Swedish Cup final. Sven-Göran Eriksson celebrates alongside Portuguese player-turned-coach Sergio Conceição after Lazio’s Italian Super Cup win Nancy Dell’Olio’s bids farewell to “Love of Her Life”
Nancy Dell’Olio says an emotional goodbye to the “love of her life.”
She dated Eriksson for ten years before their split in 2007.
Credit: Rex Nancy appeared on Good Morning Britain just two weeks ago, where she revealed her final conversation with Sven.
She said: “I just said he was trying to put in the effort to say that he was fine on the phone because most of the time he was not answering or at treatment.
“I never thought that he was about to die.
“I always believed there would be some sort of miracle.
“I’m sorry.”
Beckham says final goodbye
David Beckham gently places his hand on the coffin, bidding a heartfelt farewell to his friend and former boss.
Credit: Rex Live performance from Oscar Magnusson
Credit: Rex
Final ceremony beautifully set
Credit: Rex Credit: Rex Eriksson’s last dream
“You’ll Never Walk Alone” was performed by the brass band as mourners followed the coffin in procession.
The song was a particularly poignant choice for Eriksson, a lifelong Liverpool fan.
Sven fulfilled his dream of managing from the Anfield dugout in March, coaching a team of Liverpool legends, including Steven Gerrard, John Barnes, and Ian Rush.
That match would mark the final chapter of Sven’s storied coaching career.
Close friend pays tribute to ‘Svennis
By Nick Parker
A close pal Bengt Berg told the gathering: “He remained Svennis from Torsby from a small town on the edge of the Swedish map.”
Bengt added of his friend: “You were both very ordinary and very unique – that is why you were so loved.”
And he urged mourners to follow the mantra of the man know throughout Sweden simply as “Svennis”: “Live in the hear and now and savour each day as if it were your last”
Sven’s nearest and dearest follow funeral procession
Credit: Yui Mok/PA Wire.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
