The late Sven-Goran Eriksson protected from the furious press on his final day as manager. following a battle with pancreatic cancer. He is widely remembered for his spell as the manager of the Three Lions, in which the now manager was at the centre.
The Swede was the first to take a gamble on the young star, fielding him in Euro 2004 as a teenager and again in the 2006 World Cup, despite suffering a metatarsal fracture just before the tournament in Germany. Rooney would go on to get himself a red card in Eriksson's final match after stamping on the crutch of Portuguese defender Ricardo Carvalho. Despite Rooney's recklessness costing the ex-Manchester City boss his job, the Swede defended the striker with everything he could.
In his last press conference as manager, Eriksson said: "You, more than me, need Wayne Rooney in the next few years so, please, pay attention. Don't kill him, I beg you. "Whether he did it intentionally or not, leave it.
Take it easy with Rooney, for your own sake. You need him, so take care of him. You will need him in qualifying for Euro 2008 and you will need him to win it.
"He is the golden boy of English football. So, please, make it easier for him to come back than it was for Beckham. I have no hard feelings with him.
None at all and nor should you." Rooney was one of the first players to express his sadness at Eriksson's passing. He took to X and said: "Rest in peace, Sven.
A special man. Thanks for the memories and all your help and advice. Thoug.