Sven Goran Eriksson's father, 95, breaks his silence with heartbreaking tribute to ex England manager son and reveals details of church funeral with 'lots of people'

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  • The elder Sven Eriksson said he and his son ‘always had football in common’

Sven Goran Eriksson’s father has paid a heartbreaking tribute to his son after the ex England football manager died from pancreatic cancer at the age of 76.

The elder Sven Eriksson revealed his sadness at no longer being able to watch his local team play with his son, affectionately known by him and many others as Svennis.

The chair where the Swede sat to watch Torsby IF matches will now ‘be empty’, his father said, recalling in his first interview since his son’s death that they had ‘always had football in common’.

The 95-year-old, who is somewhat of a local celebrity in the family’s hometown of Torsby, Sweden, thanks to his son’s success, said he is being comforted by friends and well-wishers.   

He revealed his son’s funeral would be held at the town’s Fryksände church, adding that ‘there will probably be a lot of people’ in attendance for the ceremony to wish Svennis farewell.

The elder Sven Eriksson (pictured) revealed his sadness at no longer being able to watch his local team play with his son

The elder Sven Eriksson (pictured) revealed his sadness at no longer being able to watch his local team play with his son

Sven-Goran Eriksson died yesterday from pancreatic cancer at the age of 76. He is pictured in a recent Amazon Prime documentary about his life, entitled 'Sven'

Sven-Goran Eriksson died yesterday from pancreatic cancer at the age of 76. He is pictured in a recent Amazon Prime documentary about his life, entitled ‘Sven’

The father and son are seen in an archive image from 1964 with the rest of the family, including his younger brother Lars-Erik and mother Ulla

The father and son are seen in an archive image from 1964 with the rest of the family, including his younger brother Lars-Erik and mother Ulla

A photo from 1952 shows Sven Goran Eriksson aged around four in the family's apartment in Torsby, Sweden

A photo from 1952 shows Sven Goran Eriksson aged around four in the family’s apartment in Torsby, Sweden

‘I’m not too keen on it […] when there are a lot of people,’ he told Expressen. ‘But you have to consider that it is a sign of how popular he was.’

He added: ‘I don’t like funerals, it should be nice when it’s over. I hope it will feel a little easier after it. That grief is not felt in the same way.’

Eriksson’s death sent shockwaves around the footballing world when it was announced yesterday, and has impacted those who knew and admired him in his native country. 

He said in January that he had ‘best case a year’ to live following his diagnosis, and was surrounded by his family as he passed away this morning at his home in Björkefors. 

‘It’s tough, it is. But […] that’s the way it is. Svennis was allowed to fall asleep at home, just as he wanted,’ his father said today.

Speaking as he sat outside a bakery in the sun, he said: ‘I know many people here in Torsby, and everyone is so nice and caring. It feels extra nice this time. You don’t feel as alone then.’

Inside the bakery, Sven-Goran’s picture was printed on a batch of pastries.

One of the bakers told how they had started selling the cakes a few weeks ago during a local football called the Svennis Cup, but that they ‘feel even more special now.’

Eriksson applauding ahead of England's fateful World Cup quarter-final against Portugal in 2006 - the match would ultimately prompt him to resign after England lost 3-1 on penalties

Eriksson applauding ahead of England’s fateful World Cup quarter-final against Portugal in 2006 – the match would ultimately prompt him to resign after England lost 3-1 on penalties

One customer shared their memories of the local legend, saying: ‘He never forgot where he came from. Torsby was an important place for Svennis.’

Yesterday, Eriksson’s family released a touching statement confirming his death, reading: ‘Sven-Goran Eriksson has passed away.

‘After a long illness, SGE died during the morning at home surrounded by family.’

In a separate statement, Eriksson’s children, Lina and Johan, said: ‘Our father Sven-Goran Eriksson fell asleep peacefully in his home at Bjorkefors outside Sunne this morning. 

‘He has for a long time fought bravely with his illness, but now it came to an end.’ 

His children Lina and Johan (pictured in Stockholm in June 2014) paid tribute to their 'brave' father and thanked all those who created 'positive memories' with him during his illness

His children Lina and Johan (pictured in Stockholm in June 2014) paid tribute to their ‘brave’ father and thanked all those who created ‘positive memories’ with him during his illness

In a video posted by Amazon Prime Video Sport just days ago, Eriksson was filmed sitting beside the ‘calming’ Swedish lake house where he said he wished for his ashes to be scattered.

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Poignant moment Sven Goran Eriksson revealed where he wants his ashes spread

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Visiting the Lake Fryken, close to where he was born in Sunne, he says in the documentary: ‘Beautiful place. It makes you calm. Makes me calm.’

Pointing ahead, he said: ‘The mountain, below that mountain is where my father grew up. And if you look straight on, that’s Torsby, where I grew up, and Sunne where I was born.

‘I always thought great place to sleep.’

Speaking of his beloved lake, he continued: ‘The ashes could be thrown here. It feels like home.’

Eriksson became the first foreign manager of the England national team in 2001, taking charge of 67 matches until 2006. 

He led the talented squad to quarter-finals of the 2002 and 2006 World Cups, and at the 2004 European Championships.

He also managed Swedish, Portuguese and Italian clubs, winning major trophies in the 1980s and 1990s before taking on the England job.




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