How unlikely Casanova Sven-Goran Eriksson won over England with Germany rout – as fans show support amid cancer fight
SVEN-GORAN Eriksson is much-loved by England fans – for one night in Munich in September 2001.
The Swede, 75, has received messages of support by supporters all over the world after he revealed he has been diagnosed with terminal cancer.
He told a radio station in his homeland that he has “at best a year” to live.
He revealed to P1: “Everyone understands that I have an illness that is not good.
“Everyone guesses it’s cancer and it is. But I have to fight as long as I can.”
When asked about the prognosis, Eriksson said he has “maybe at best a year, at worst a little less, or at best maybe even longer”.
The decorated ex-Three Lions gaffer added: “You can’t be absolutely sure. It is better not to think about it.
“But you can trick your brain. See the positive in things, don’t wallow in adversity, because this is the biggest adversity of course, but make something good out of it.”
Eriksson – or just Sven as England fans call him – has enjoyed some incredible achievements in the game.
After all, this was a man who beat Juventus and AC Milan to winning a Serie A title with unfashionable Lazio – only the second in their history – in 2000.
And despite his admitted failings with not getting the best out of the ‘Golden Generation’ of England footballers from 2001-2006, the 5-1 demolition of Germany at the Olympiastadion in Munich is immortal.
Sven also proved himself to be an unlikely Casanova, charming beauties Nancy Dell’Ollio, Ulrika Jonsson and Faria Alam.
Legend in Italy
Sven arrived back in Italy in 1992 with Sampdoria, following a successful spell with Benfica who he led to a European Cup final.
He had previously scored success with Roma in the Coppa Italia in 1985, but a trophyless stint with Fiorentina meant he had unfinished business.
For the Genoa giants he won the Coppa Italia in 1994, ripping up the Italian defensive blueprint of man-marking by introducing a zonal marking system.
He left Sampdoria for Lazio in 1997, where he would become a legend.
A talented squad, that included future Ballon d’Or winner Pavel Nedved, Argies Juan Sebastian Veron, Nestor Sensini and Diego Simeone, as well as top scorer Marcelo Salas proved too much for their rivals in 2000.
They pipped Juventus to win Serie A by a point, also ousting the great AC Milan side of that era in the title race.
Knowing how to make a team difficult to beat was Sven’s strength and it played to the style of the league he coached in.
Lazio won the double that year – making it a trio of Coppa Italia wins for the studious manager.
He left in 2001 with his legacy in place, also adding the Cup Winners’ Cup and Super Cup to his CV.
New challenge
That same year, Sven landed the England job to become the first foreigner to take charge of the national team.
The Scandinavian tactician had flirted with the idea of coaching in the UK – almost joining Blackburn Rovers in 1996, before opting to stay in Italy for family reasons.
But, the allure of working with England’s ‘Golden Generation’ of Beckham, Scholes, Lampard and more would prove to be too hard to turn down.
In truth, his cautious approach didn’t always work. Tournament failures – losing in the quarter-finals of two World Cups (2002 and 2006), and the Euros in 2004.
Least we not forget we lost to two very good sides in Brazil and Portugal (twice) in those games.
However, before those losses, we did have reason to cheer for one unforgettable night in Munich when it all came together.
The Three Lions travelled to Germany to face off against their bitter rivals, after a poor start to their 2002 World Cup qualification campaign in a crucial game.
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Wins against lesser opposition didn’t exactly fill us with confidence.
But we took the Germans to the sword on their own soil. Spearheaded by Michael Owen who scored a hat-trick, and rounded off by Emile Heskey – it was an awesome display in a 5-1 win away from home.
It kickstarted Svenmania. Unbelievably in his homeland, the game was watched by over a million football fans – double the amount that tuned in to watch Sweden take on Macedonia that night.
Marks & Spencer, a longtime supporter of the England national team, printed 9,000 Germany 1 England 5 T-shirts, which sold out in a day.
“I can’t remember a menswear product selling so well,” a spokesman revealed at the time – a testament to Sven’s greatest day.
Unlikely Casanova
Sven married Ann-Christine Pettersson in 1977, they had two children, before they divorced in 1994.
The cause of their split, he admitted, was an extramarital affair with curvy beauty Graziella Mancinelli.
It was a trait that followed Sven in his love life.
By 1998, he began a romance with glam lawyer Nancy Dell’Ollio who left her husband for the unlikely Casanova.
Again, he would stray – enjoying a brief tryst with Italian actress Debora Caprioglio.
Nancy forgave him, joining Sven in London at his £2million Regent’s Park.
His wandering eye led to more well-publicised affairs – with TV personality Ulrika Jonsson in 2002 and FA secretary Faria Alam in 2004.
Nancy stuck by Sven until 2006, when they finally called it quits.
“People said the constant media attention was something I had to accept, but I never understood what was so interesting about my private life,” he wrote in a column in the Daily Mail.
Plenty of support
Former players have spoken in support of Sven after his shock cancer diagnosis.
Wayne Rooney took to X, formerly known as Twitter, and wrote: “Sad news this morning. Thoughts are with Sven Goran-Eriksson and his family.
“A brilliant coach and a special person. Loved and respected by everyone. We’re all with you Sven, keep fighting.”
Ex-player Trevor Sinclair posted: “Upsetting to read my old boss Sven Goran-Eriksson has terminal cancer!
“An absolute gentleman & excellent coach that I am eternally grateful to, as I earned all my England caps under him. I wish him love & comfort during his final battle.”
While fans have united to wish Sven the best.
One shared: “Really sad news about Sven Goran Eriksson, I hope he finds the strength to fight as long as he can, as someone who cared for my grandad with terminal cancer it is the cruelest disease. Wishing him & his family the best.”
A second added: “Cancer is just the most evil disease that take everything from not only the person suffering but everyone who loves them.
“Wishing Sven Goran Eriksson the best possible in his health & hope that he has the best support around him to help him fight it.”
We, at SunSport, echo those thoughts.