Sven-Göran Eriksson was one of football’s most recognizable managers, known for making history as the first foreign coach to manage the England national team from 2001 to 2006. His coaching career spanned top clubs across Europe, including stints at Lazio, Benfica, and Roma, where he earned multiple trophies. Eriksson was often in the spotlight for his calm yet enigmatic demeanor, making him a media favorite during his time with England. Despite his controversies, he remained a highly respected figure in football, praised for his tactical acumen and leadership on the international stage.

Early Life

Sven-Göran Eriksson was born on February 5, 1948, in Sunne, a small town in Värmland, Sweden. He grew up in the nearby town of Torsby. His father, Sven Eriksson, worked as a bus conductor, while his mother, Ulla, was employed in a textile shop. Eriksson's childhood was marked by a deep passion for football, which was encouraged by his father. He started playing footballat a young age and made his debut for Torsby IF, a local team, when he was just 16 years old.

Growing up, Eriksson was known by the nickname "Svennis," a name given to him by his younger brother Lars-Erik, who struggled to pronounce his name. His passion for footballwould guide his early years, although his playing career as a right-back was cut short due to a knee injury when he was just 19 years old. Despite this setback, his love for the sportpersisted, leading him to shift from playing to coaching, which eventually shaped his future career as a renowned footballmanager.

Playing Career

Sven-Göran Eriksson's playing career was relatively modest. He started playing footballas a right-back for his hometown club, Torsby IF, when he was just 16. Over the years, he played in the lower divisions of Swedish football, moving on to clubs such as SK Sifhällaand KB Karlskoga. Despite his passion for the game, his abilities as a player were described as average, and he retired early, at the age of 27, due to a knee injury and the realization that he was unlikely to make it at the top level of professional football.

His playing career was influenced significantly by Tord Grip, a player-manager at Karlskoga, who would later become an important figure in Eriksson’s coaching journey. Although his career as a player wasn’t highly distinguished, Eriksson’s early experiences on the field paved the way for his successful transition into footballmanagement later in life.

Managerial career

Sven-Göran Eriksson's managerial career began in 1977 with Degerfors IF, a Swedish club, where he worked as an assistant before being promoted to manager. He quickly found success, leading the team to promotion. His next significant move came in 1979 when he took over IFK Göteborg. Under his guidance, the club achieved major success, including winning the Swedish league titleand the UEFA Cupin 1982, making IFK the first Swedish club to win a European trophy.

Following this, Eriksson moved to Benficain Portugal, where he enjoyed immediate success, winning multiple domestic titles and reaching the UEFA Cup final. His achievements with Benfica established him as a top manager in European football.

In the mid-1980s, Eriksson transitioned to Italian football, managing AS Romaand later Fiorentina, though his success there was more modest. A return to Benficain 1989 brought more titles before moving back to Italy to manage Sampdoriaand Lazio. At Lazio, Eriksson had one of his most successful periods, winning Serie A, the Italian Cup, and the European Cup Winners’ Cup.

Eriksson’s high-profile managerial role came in 2001 when he became the first foreign manager of the England national team, leading them to multiple quarter-final appearances in major tournaments such as the World Cupand European Championship.

After his time with England, he managed various teams, including Manchester City, Leicester City, Mexico, and Ivory Coast, further solidifying his reputation as an adaptable and respected manager across the globe.

Death

Sven-Göran Eriksson passed away on August 26, 2024, at the age of 76. The cause of his death was pancreatic cancer, which he had been battling for some time. He died at his home in Sweden, surrounded by his family. Eriksson had publicly revealed his cancer diagnosis earlier in 2024, expressing acceptance of his condition and reflecting on his life. Despite his illness, he remained positive, cherishing his long career and the memories he created in football.

Wife and Relationships

Sven-Göran Eriksson was married to Ann-Christine Pettersson(also known as Anki) early in his life. Their marriage, however, ended in divorce after several years. After his divorce, Eriksson's personal life attracted significant media attention, with a number of high-profile relationships. One of his most famous relationships was with Nancy Dell’Olio, an Italian-British lawyer, which was widely publicized during his time as the England footballmanager.

Later in life, Eriksson was in a long-term relationship with Yaniseth Alcides, a former dancer from Panama. Their relationship lasted for 16 years, and Alcides cared for him during his illness until his passing in 2024.

Children

Sven-Göran Eriksson had two children, a son named Johanand a daughter named Lina, from his first marriage to Ann-Christine Pettersson. Both children remained close to Eriksson throughout his life and supported him during his battle with cancer. After Eriksson’s passing, his children released a heartfelt statement, expressing their gratitude for the love and support their father received from the footballcommunity during his illness.

Net Worth

At the time of his death in August 2024, Sven-Göran Eriksson had an estimated net worth of $35 million. This wealth was accumulated through his long and successful career as a footballmanager, spanning over 40 years. He managed several top clubs across Europe, such as Lazio, Benfica, and Roma, and also served as the England national team manager from 2001 to 2006. Eriksson earned significant salaries during his time in management, particularly during his tenure with England and his roles at prestigious European clubs.

As for his estate, Eriksson passed away at his luxurious £4 million lakeside villain Sweden, which he had owned for years. It is unclear from public sources who inherited his wealth, but it is likely that his long-term partner, Yaniseth Alcides, and his two children, Johanand Lina, were beneficiaries of his estate.