Former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson has died this morning at the age of 76. Eriksson, who famously made history by becoming the nation's first foreign boss when he took the role in 2001, passed away from pancreatic cancer. The former manager had been ill for a while and in January announced the shock news that he 'had at best a year to live'.
He had recently resigned from his post as sporting director of Karlstad in his native Sweden and had sought medical advice after collapsing during a 5km run, with doctors also discovering he suffered a stroke. A statement from his agent read: "Sven-Göran Erikssonhas passed away. After a long illness, he 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." Born on February 5 1948, Eriksson grew up in Sweden where he became a professional footballer. Playing as a right-back in his home country, it was in management where he became one of the most recognisable figures in world football.
Making his first move into management with Degerfors IF, Eriksson got the job with Swedish giants Goteborg where he announced himself on the European stage by winning the UEFA Cup in 1971/72. He was then snapped up by Benfica in 1982 where he won three Primeira Divisao titles and a Portuguese Cup alongside finishing as runners up in both the European Cup and UEFA Cup acro.