The royal family, currently on vacation in Scotland, paused their holiday to extend their condolences to the former England football manager’s family.
In a message posted on X and Instagram, signed with “W,” William expressed his sadness, writing: “I was deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Sven-Göran Eriksson. Having met him multiple times during his tenure as England manager, I was always impressed by his charisma and his passion for football. My thoughts are with his family and friends. He was truly a gentleman of the game. W.”
Earlier this year, Sven-Göran Eriksson revealed he had been diagnosed with terminal cancer and had been given a prognosis of “at best a year” to live. His family confirmed his passing in a statement to the BBC on Monday, noting that Eriksson died at home surrounded by loved ones after a prolonged illness.
Eriksson, a Swedish national, managed England from 2001 to 2006, guiding the team to the quarter-finals of the 2002 and 2006 World Cups and the 2004 Euros. He coached a generation of football stars including David Beckham, Wayne Rooney, Steven Gerrard, and Frank Lampard. Prince William was notably photographed with Eriksson and the England squad during the 2006 World Cup.
Last year, Eriksson stepped down from his role as sporting director at Swedish club Karlstad due to health issues. In an interview with Swedish radio station P1, he discussed his condition, stating: “It’s clear that I have a serious disease, which is cancer. I must fight it for as long as possible. The prognosis is at best a year, or perhaps even less. The doctors cannot be completely certain.”
A recent Amazon Prime documentary titled “Sven” reflects on Eriksson’s illustrious career and his battle with cancer. The film features insights from friends and family and concludes with a poignant message from Eriksson: “I hope you remember me as a positive person who tried to do everything he could.”
The Pancreatic Cancer Action charity also paid tribute, saying: “We are deeply saddened by the loss of former England manager Sven-Göran Eriksson, who faced his pancreatic cancer diagnosis with bravery. Our thoughts are with his family and friends during this difficult time. Rest in peace, Sven.”
