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Kelly Rissman
US News Reporter
David Beckham and Nancy Dell’Olio were among the mourners at Fryksande church in Torsby, Sweden for the funeral of former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson on Friday morning.
The Swede, who passed away on 26 August after a short battle with cancer, took charge of England between 2001 and 2006, helping the team reach the quarter-finals of the 2002 and 2006 World Cups as well as Euro 2024.
Eriksson’s captain for the majority of that time was Beckham, who visited his former boss in June with a gift of ‘six litres of wine’ from dates which hold a special meaning to him.
Roy Hodgson, who managed England between 2012 and 2016 was also present, as was Eriksson’s ex-girlfriend Nancy Dell’Olio. The couple were together between 1998 and 2002. She was seen embracing Beckham at the service.
49-year-old Beckham was also seen embracing Eriksson’s 95-year-old father, who is also called Sven, who was sat on the front row of the congregation along with the football manager’s partner Yaniseth Alcides and children Johan and Lina
Eriksson’s coffin arrived at Fryksande church at around 7am local time, long before the arrival of any of the 600 guests who are expected to be present. A single bell tolled as his body was carried into the church.
Members of Sweden’s royal family are also expected to be in attendance, with roads surrounding the church in the small town where Eriksson grew up cordoned off and with a sizeable police presence in the area.
Amongst those to arrive early were Eriksson’s son and elderly father as well as a childhood friend of the former Lazio and Benfica coach, Bengt Berg.
“I’m very happy and very sad at the same time,” said Berg, an author who worked on a book with Eriksson in the final months of his life.
“But it’s fantastic to see him returning to his first point. It’s a very curious feeling.
“He’s one of us and we share his glory. But when he returned here, he was just one of the hot dog eaters.”
In a moving sermon, priest Ingela Alvskog told mourners: “Sven-Goran was genuinely kind and never deliberately caused problems. He was a loving father, but not good at going shopping!
“He was not too interested in dancing either but became quite proficient at the salsa. Sven-Goran was never late. He would rather be five or ten minutes early.
“Taking it easy on holiday was never his thing. He loved routine and discipline. He loved good food and drink and travelling first class.
“Sven-Goran was mentally strong, even in adversity. He had a will of iron and never gave up. In spite of his illness, Sven-Goran’s last few months have been full of life. He received many tributes from around the world.”
Despite tabloid obsession around his personal life during his time as England manager, Eriksson maintained a positive outlook on life. In a recent documentary about his life, the Swede said: “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.”
During his career, Eriksson also took charge of top sides such as Benfica, Fiorentina, Sampdoria, Lazio, Manchester City and Leicester City as well as the Ivory Coast and Mexico national sides.
Additional reporting by PA.
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