‘A true gentleman’: David Beckham leads tributes to Sven-Göran Eriksson

a true gentleman David Beckham leads tributes to Sven Goran Ericson David Beckham led the tributes to Sven Goran Ericson after the former England manager died at the age of 76 describing him as passionate caring calm and a true gentleman the sweed became England's first overseas manager and led them to the quarterfinals in three successive tournaments during a spell in charge between 2001 and 2006 Erikson who also managed Manchester City laio and revealed in January 2024 that he had been diagnosed with terminal cancer and that he likely had at best about a year to live Ericson died at home in jorer near Sun on Monday morning surrounded by his family Beckham posted footage of a recent meeting with Ericson on Instagram and wrote we laughed we cried and we knew we were saying goodbye Sven thank you for always being the person you have always been passionate caring calm and a true gentleman I will be forever grateful for you making me your captain but I will forever hold these last memories of this day with you and your family thank you Sven and in your last words to me it will be okay dot two more former England captains were among others to pay tribute Michael Owen who scored a hattick in England's 5 to1 win over Germany at the Olympia Stadium in Munich in 2001 that marked arguably Ericson's greatest day as a manager referred to one of the very best and a man who will be sadly missed by every one in the world of football Wayne Rooney wrote on X rest in peace Sven a special man thanks for the memories and all your help and advice thoughts and prayers with all his family and friends Casper schmeichel who Ericson signed for Lester in 2011 also underlined his gratitude svan was the first manager to truly believe in me and give me a chance at the highest level the goalkeeper said on Instagram he was the first manager to call me world class and he made me feel 10 ft tall it is a great loss to football and the world the former Liverpool Striker Peter Crouch said on X Sven gave me my England debut when plenty doubted it I will forever be grateful to him he will be missed the league Managers Association chairman Martin O'Neal the former Aston Villa and Republic of Ireland manager said he was saddened by Ericson's passing and that when their paths crossed he was extremely courteous and rather Gentile with a real sense of humor he brought Sparkle with him always the Prince of Wales described Ericson as a true gentleman of the game in a tribute posted on X Prince William who stepped back from his role as president of the football association in July a position he had held since 2006 said sad to hear about the passing of Sven Bor and Ericson I met him several times as England manager and was always struck by his Charisma and pass passion for the game My thoughts are with his family and friends the Prime Minister sir Kier stermer said he will be remembered for his tremendous contribution to English football which brought joy to so many over the years Erikson grew up in Farmland Western Sweden a Liverpool supporter and realized his dream of managing his favorite team in a charity match at anfield in March Erikson's co-manager that day was Ian Rush Liverpool's all-time record goal scorer and the former strike John Aldridge was also part of his staff myself Ian rush and John Barnes were on the bench Aldridge told BBC Radio five life he kept saying to us this is amazing this is unbelievable he got what he always wanted as a child to manage a Liverpool side it was so special when they sang You'll Never Walk Alone to him he was just a gem of a man Ericson's years in charge of England were marked by Scandal over his private life including newspapers revealing Affairs and he departed from his post at the end of the 2006 World Cup having been caught up in a tabloid sting in the January of that year after he told the fake Chic that he would be willing to manage Aston Villa were they to be the subject of a middle eastern takeover despite a crisis or two we always smiled said Adrien bavington who worked alongside Ericson as the football association's director of communications the FIFA president Johnny Infantino called Ericson a great innovator and a true ambassador of our beautiful game and the world governing body flew the Sweden flag at half mast at its headquarters in Zurich on Monday the Swedish Football Association described Ericson known in his homeland as fenes as one of Swedish football's most influential coaches the English faas chief executive officer Mark bullingham said it would honor Ericson before England's nation's League match against Finland at Wembley next month he gave all England fans such special memories bullingham said no one can ever forget the 5 to1 Victory David Dy the former Arsenal and Fa Vice chairman said Ericson was a master at writing a storm a documentary about Ericson's life simply entitled Sven was released on Amazon Prime last week and contained a message from the man himself that poignantly summed up his Good Humor Grace and dignity don't be sorry smile Ericson said thank you for everything coaches players the crowds it's been fantastic take care of yourself and take care of your life and live it bye