Former football star David Beckham and Sven-Göran Eriksson’s long-time partner attended the funeral of the former football coach.
Former national football team captain David Beckham (49) attended the funeral of his former national team coach Sven-Göran Eriksson (1948-2024) in the Fryksände Church in Torsby, Sweden, on Friday (September 13). The Swede died of pancreatic cancer on August 26 at the age of 76.
Beckham gave warm hugs and loving gestures to Eriksson’s long-time on-off partner (since 1998), the Italian-American lawyer Nancy Dell’Olio (63), and to Eriksson’s children, Lina and football manager Johan, who come from his marriage (1977-1994) to Ann-Christine Pettersson. His 95-year-old father Sven Eriksson was also present, as was Eriksson’s partner Yaniseth Alcides.
the ringing of a bell marked the start of the funeral service in the packed church on a cool, misty morning in the small, rural Swedish town. The song “Sailing” was played on the organ before the iconic 17th-century English hymn “Amazing Grace” was sung in Swedish by the congregation. Most mourners wore black, with some carrying red roses.
Eriksson’s coffin, which was brought to Fryksande Church before the congregation arrived, was made of light wood and was placed at the front of the church, topped by a bouquet of white flowers and surrounded by four large candles. Many more bouquets and wreaths were spread out on the steps leading to the altar, including one with the Lazio Ultras flag.
Personal details from Eriksson’s life
In a sermon delivered first in Swedish and then in English, the vicar and pastor spoke of “many beautiful memories” of Eriksson, including precious time spent at home, which was “nicer than a five-star hotel”. He was described as “kind”, while the vicar also reflected on his penchant for wearing suits and reading crime novels as a child. He described him as a loving father who “was a dud at shopping”. He also said he struggled with dancing before he “mastered salsa”.
Eriksson was described as “never late” and a fan of routine – he even got up early for breakfast on holiday. He was a great reader and interested in politics, religion and history, although he also appreciated the finer things in life such as wine and first-class travel, the vicar said. He combined an “iron” will with a modest, considerate demeanor. The vicar described his final weeks as “full of life” accompanied by “expressions of love”, including walking onto the pitch at Anfield with his granddaughter.
Sven-Göran Eriksson: “Life must always be celebrated”
In his own final words in a newspaper column, Eriksson wrote: “Life must always be celebrated,” and that spirit was reportedly felt among the many hundreds of people who bore him to his grave at the large and public funeral in his hometown in western Sweden.
Eriksson was not only a great footballer, but also a local hero. Around 600 mourners crowded into Fryksande Church, a stately red-brick building on a hill overlooking the town. 400 seats were reserved for the public, who had been queuing since early morning to get a seat. Hundreds of people also gathered outside the church to watch the ceremony live on a screen.
Sven-Göran Eriksson coached the “Golden Generation”
Under Eriksson’s leadership, England’s “Golden Generation” reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup in 2002 and 2006 and the round of 16 at Euro 2004. He was England manager for five years, having previously led Lazio to the Italian Serie A title. After retiring from the England national team, he worked as a coach at Manchester City, Leicester and the Mexican national team.
Source: Stern
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