Sven-Goran Eriksson, a soccer manager who is best remembered for his stint as the England boss, has passed away.
Eriksson had been battling pancreatic cancer, and earlier this year, he disclosed that doctors had given him just a year to live "at best".
"Sven-Goran Eriksson has passed away," his family said in a statement, via Sky News, "After a long illness, SGE died during the morning at home surrounded by family."
Eriksson made history in 2001 when he became the first foreign manager of the England men’s national soccer team.
He led the so-called 'golden generation', which included stars like David Beckham, Steven Gerrard, Wayne Rooney, and Frank Lampard.
His illustrious career also saw him at the helm of several prominent European clubs, including Benfica, Roma, Fiorentina, Sampdoria, and Lazio.
After the 2006 World Cup, Eriksson stepped down from the England role and later managed national teams such as Mexico and the Ivory Coast, as well as English clubs Manchester City and Leicester City.
In February 2023, Eriksson resigned from his position as sporting director at Swedish club Karlstad due to his declining health.
Prior to his death, Eriksson offered a final message to his fans via an Amazon Prime documentary about his life.
Cited by the Mirror, he said: "I had a good life. I think we are all scared of the day 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 crowds, it’s been fantastic. Take care of yourself and take care of your life. And live it. Bye."
Eriksson won 18 trophies in his managerial career and will be fondly remembered by fans across the world.
Following his cancer diagnosis, Eriksson fulfilled a lifelong dream in March when he led out the Liverpool Legends in a charity match against Ajax at Anfield.
Reflecting on the occasion, he described it as "absolutely beautiful" and a "huge memory" in his life.
Our thoughts are with his loved ones at this time.
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