Sven-Goran Eriksson dies after fulfilling Liverpool Anfield managerial dream

Sven-Goran Eriksson, who fulfilled a lifelong dream of managing Liverpool at Anfield earlier this year, has passed away aged 76. 

The well-respected Swedish manager revealed a terminal pancreatic cancer diagnosis in January, with Liverpool subsequently offering him the chance to lead their legends team out for a fixture against Ajax in March. 

Goals from Gregory Vignal, Djibril Cissé, Nabil El Zhar and Fernando Torres helped Sven’s side to a 4-2 win after Ajax raced into a two-goal lead. 

Read more: Sven-Goran Eriksson's farewell message

"Everybody was a winner today," Sven told LFCTV after the game. "It was beautiful, absolutely incredible. Everything from You'll Never Walk Alone and the rest of the match - and a good win!"

Eriksson had then embarked on a farewell tour of his former clubs, taking the acclaim one last time at Lazio, Benfica and Sampdoria in front of packed audiences. 

A new Amazon Prime documentary was trailed last week, entitled Sven, where the tactician bid a goodbye message to the football world. 

"I had a good life, yes," he said. "I think we all are scared of the day when it's finished, when we die. But life is about death as well. You have to learn to accept it for what it is.

"Hopefully at the end, people will say, 'Yeah, he was a good man'. But everyone will not say that.

"I hope you will remember me as a positive guy trying to do everything he could do. Don't be sorry. Smile. Thank you for everything—coaches, players, the crowd. 

"It's been fantastic. Take care of yourself, and take care of your life, and live it. Bye."

Sven-Goran Eriksson's immense impact

Sven’s managerial career spanned from 1977 to 2019, claiming a swathe of top honours at clubs such as IFK Goteborg, Benfica, Roma, Sampdoria and Lazio. 

He also enjoyed five years in charge of England, from 2001 to 2006, where several Liverpool stars such as Steven Gerrard, Michael Owen and Emile Heskey excelled under his tenureship. 

“Sven-Göran Eriksson has passed away,” a statement on the manager’s official website read. 

“After a long illness, SGE died during the morning at home surrounded by family. The closest mourners are daughter Lina; son Johan with wife Amana and granddaughter Sky; father Sven; girlfriend Yanisette with son Alcides; brother Lars-Erik with wife Jumnong. 

“The family asks for respect for their wish to mourn in private and not be contacted.”

All at Anfield Watch extend our sympathies to Sven’s family and friends.