Sven-Göran Eriksson gave emotional ‘final goodbye’ message to fans days before death

Sven-Göran Eriksson shared a heartbreaking final message with fans just days before his death.

The former England manager passed away on Monday morning (26 August) after being diagnosed with cancer.

Aged 76, he was surrounded by his family members, according to a statement on his official website.

Swedish agent Bo Gustavsson said in a statement: "Sven-Göran Eriksson has passed away. After a long illness, SGE died during the morning at home surrounded by family.

"The closest mourners are daughter Lina; son Johan with wife Amana and granddaughter Sky; father Sven; girlfriend Yanisette with son Alcides; brother Lars-Erik with wife Jumnong.

"The family asks for respect for their wish to mourn in private and not be contacted.

"Condolences and greetings can be left on the website www.svengoraneriksson.com."

Eriksson was England's first ever foreign football manager when he took over the national team in 2001.

He lead the group to three quarter-final places in two World Cups and in Euro 2004.

Earlier this year, Eriksson said he had been diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer, with 'a little less' than a year to live.

In his last public sign-off to fans, the former manager opened up about how he would like to be remembered in his Amazon Prime documentary titled Sven.

"I had a good life, yes. I think we all are scared of the day when it's finished, when we die," he said.

"But the life is about death as well. You have to learn to accept it, of 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 crowd.

"It's been fantastic. Take care of yourself, and take care of your life, and live it. Bye."

Amid all of the tributes, the Prince of Wales called Eriksson a 'true gentleman of the game'.

Taking to X, Prince William said: “Sad to hear about the passing of Sven-Göran Eriksson.

“I met him several times as England manager and was always struck by his charisma and passion for the game.

“My thoughts are with his family and friends. A true gentleman of the game. W.”

Sporting body UEFA also said in a statement: "On behalf of the European football community, everybody at UEFA is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Sven Göran Eriksson.

"A beloved figure in the game, Sven was a UEFA Cup winner as coach of IFK Göteborg in 1982 before leading Lazio to the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup in 1999. Rest in peace, Sven."