Guernsey Press

David Beckham among mourners at Sven-Goran Eriksson’s funeral in Sweden

Beckham was joined by Eriksson’s former partner Nancy Dell’Olio with whom the Swede was in a relationship during his time in charge of the team.

Published

David Beckham was among the mourners at Fryksande church in the Swedish town of Torsby on Friday for the funeral of former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson.

Captain of the team during Eriksson’s spell in charge between 2001 and 2006, Beckham was joined by Eriksson’s former partner Nancy Dell’Olio, with whom the Swede was in a relationship during his time with England.

The church service, which included sung renditions of Elton John’s Candle in the Wind and Frank Sinatra’s My Way accompanied on piano, began at just after 10am local time and lasted around an hour.

Tribute was paid to a love of routine and discipline shown by Eriksson, who led England to three major tournament quarter-finals shortly after securing Lazio their first Serie A title in 26 years, alluding to the fact he was never late and that he frequently chose to wear a suit as a teenager.

The funeral procession for Sven-Goran Eriksson, including his former partner Nancy Dell’Olio, right
Sven-Goran Eriksson’s former partner Nancy Dell’Olio, right (Yui Mok/PA)

There was reference too to his realisation of a lifelong dream in the final months of his life to manage Liverpool, which he did in a charity match in March when he took charge of a “legends” side at Anfield. His granddaughter accompanied him onto the pitch at the game.

His love for Liverpool was commemorated by a local brass band playing You’ll Never Walk Alone as the hearse made its way out of the grounds following the ceremony.

Eriksson’s coffin arrived at Fryksande church at around 7am local time on Friday morning, long before the arrival of any of the guests.

A single bell tolled as his body was carried into the church.

The funeral procession for Sven-Goran Eriksson, including his partner Yaniseth Alcides, heading from Fryksande Church towards his to his homestead in Torsby
The funeral procession for Sven-Goran Eriksson, including his partner Yaniseth Alcides, heading from Fryksande church towards his homestead in Torsby (Yui Mok/PA)

Torsby, which is in the west of Sweden, has a population of only around 4,000.

Amongst those to arrive early were Eriksson’s son and elderly father, as well as a childhood friend of the former Lazio and Benfica coach, Bengt Berg.

“I’m very happy and very sad at the same time,” said Berg, an author who worked on a book with Eriksson in the final months of his life.

“But it’s fantastic to see him returning to his first point. It’s a very curious feeling.

“He’s one of us and we share his glory. But when he returned here, he was just one of the hot dog eaters.”

Former England boss Roy Hodgson, centre
Former England boss Roy Hodgson, centre, was present (Yui Mok/PA)

The Football Association was represented in Torsby by deputy CEO Mark Burrows.

Those who were unable to attend the ceremony due to capacity watched the service on a large screen in the grounds of the church, with several hundred present.

One fan wore the shirt of IFK Goteborg whom Eriksson led to victory in the UEFA Cup in 1982 before departing to manage Benfica.

Sorry, we are not accepting comments on this article.