Former England football manager Sven-Goran Eriksson has died at the age of 76 after a battle with cancer.

A family statement released on Monday said Eriksson “died this morning at home surrounded by his family” after a long illness. In January, the Swede announced he had pancreatic cancer and had “a year at most” to live.

As a former footballer and manager, Eriksson has had great success with various clubs across Europe. Between 1977 and 2001, he won 18 trophies, including the UEFA Cup and the European Cup Winners’ Cup (before it was abolished), as well as domestic titles with clubs in Sweden, Portugal and Italy.

Eriksson will be honoured for his achievements with Degerfors IF on Saturday, June 1, 2024, at Stora Vala in Degerfors, Sweden. Eriksson is honoured for his achievements at Degerfors IF at Stora Valla in Degerfors, Sweden, on Saturday, June 1, 2024. Kiki Nilsson/Kiki Nilsson/Icon Photography
He went on to manage the England men’s football team until 2006, becoming the Three Lions’ first non-British manager and leading them to the quarter-finals of two World Cups and Euro 2004.

During his career, Eriksson also managed English clubs Manchester City and Leicester City, as well as the national teams of Mexico, the Philippines and Ivory Coast. In total, he has coached in 10 countries.

Following his diagnosis, Eriksson spent a year visiting some of his former clubs before helping lead Liverpool Legends to a 4-2 win over Ajax in March.

He was a lifelong Liverpool fan, and the club took to social media platform X to share its condolences for his passing. The England team also express its sadness. Previously, in the new documentary “Sven,” his former manager said he’d had a good life.

“I think we’re all afraid of the day we die, but life also comes with death,” he said. “You have to learn to accept everything as it is. “I hope that in the end people will say, ‘Yes, he was a good man,’ but not everyone will say that.”

“I hope you remember me as a positive guy who tried to do the best he could,” he continued. “Don’t apologise, just laugh. Thank you so much to the coaches, players and spectators, it was fantastic. Take care of yourself and take care of your life. And live it. good bye.\”