Inside Sven-Goran Eriksson's final days: Ex-England manager's closest confidant as well as family and former players including David Beckham reveal heartbreaking last encounters as he battled pancreatic cancer Ex-England manager was in touch with friends in his final days, confidants say Right-hand man Tord Grip and Becks among those to see and speak to him READ MORE: Sven-Goran Eriksson's heartbreaking goodbye video message By Jon Brady Published: 19:52 BST, 26 August 2024 | Updated: 20:05 BST, 26 August 2024 e-mail View comments Sven-Goran Eriksson's final days have been detailed by one of his closest confidants and long-term right-hand man, Tord Grip - as others, including David Beckham , have shared their last encounters with the 76-year-old after his death from cancer . Grip, 86, joined Eriksson in assistant coaching and advisory positions throughout much of his now legendary management career after a stint as a domestic and Swedish international footballer. Eriksson started coaching as an assistant to Grip at Swedish side Degefors before succeeding him at the side when Grip was promoted to an assistant manager position on Sweden 's national team.
The pair then worked together in 1998 at Lazio, when Grip became Eriksson's number two at the Italian powerhouse, and when Eriksson was hired as the new manager of the Three Lions he brought his friend with him. Grip has revealed how Eriksson's devastating cancer diagnosis affected him in his final days after he revealed in Jan.