SVEN-Goran Eriksson’s ex lover has paid a heartfelt tribute to the former England manager with a series of never-before-seen romantic snaps.
Eriksson tragically passed away on Monday aged 76 after a battle with pancreatic cancer.
Nancy Dell’Olio, 63, had a ten-year romance with the Swede and were thought to have never married, yet she referred to him as her “ex-husband” in a passionate letter about their time together.
The Italian beauty left her husband Giancarlo Massa to be with Sven, and was frequently by his side as snaps would show the couple together at several competitions.
Nancy has now posted a series of unseen pictures of the two of them together on Instagram.
In a romantic photo, she was laughing while sitting on the England boss’ lap with his arms around her waist.
Another shows the loved-up pair looking passionately into each other’s eyes.
She referred to Sven as her “ex-husband” in the caption, reflecting on the highs and lows of the relationship while maintaining that “love never truly fades.”
Nancy wrote: “It is with a heavy heart that I share the passing of my ex-husband, Sven.
“Though our relationship had its ups and downs, I choose to remember the good times we shared and the moments that brought joy to our lives.
“I will always hold onto those cherished memories and extend my deepest condolences to his family, as well as his beloved children, Lina and Johan.
“When you love someone, that love never truly fades. Rest in peace, Sven. You will be missed.”
Three years prior to Sven taking up the position of manager for England, in 1998, Nancy and he met while he was the manager of Lazio in Rome.
After Sven secured the top job in England, she relocated to London with him, but at the beginning of 2002, he had an affair with Swedish television presenter Ulrika Jonsson.
Nancy remained loyal to Sven, but in 2004 he had another affair with Faria Alam, the Football Association secretary at the time.
Given that Faria had previously had an affair with Mark Palios, the former CEO of the FA, the second affair story made headlines.
Nancy stayed with Sven despite the backlash from the media, and when he took England to the World Cup in Germany in 2006, she threw lavish parties for the WAGS at their Baden Baden base.
But ultimately, after ten years together, the couple parted ways in August 2007.
“I’m proud to have talked about the beautiful love story that linked me to Sven, it’s one of the two great love stories of my life,” Nancy wrote, glowingly, about their connection in her book My lovely Game.
Sven-Goran Eriksson tragically passed away aged 76 after revealing he had terminal pancreatic cancer.
Eriksson, who was in charge of the Three Lions’ Golden Generation, revealed in January he had “at best a year” to live after being diagnosed with cancer.
The Swede’s family confirmed today he died in a heartbreaking statement.
They have now asked for their privacy to be respected so they can mourn in private.
A statement from his children Lina and Johan Eriksson today read: “Our father Sven-Goran Eriksson fell asleep peacefully in his home at Björkefors outside Sunne this morning. He has for a long time fought bravely with his illness, but now it came to an end.
“Our thoughts go out to Sven-Goran’s father Sven; girlfriend Yaniseth and her son Alcides; to his brother Lasse and wife Jumnong, as well as to all good friends and acquaintances in Sweden and around the world.
“Dad told us at the beginning of this year about his serious illness and received an amazing response from friends and football fans around Europe. He was invited to several football teams in England, Italy, Portugal and Sweden.
“They shared their love for football and for dad. It was unforgettable for both him and us. He expressed his appreciation and joy and stated that such beautiful words are usually only uttered when someone has died.”
The children added: “We have shared his gratitude and got to experience the wonderful meetings between him, football and all his friends. We thank everyone for these positive memories and your support during his illness.
“We hope that you will remember Svennis as the good and positive person he always was both in public and at home with us.”
Eriksson had said his heartbreaking final goodbye on film as his life was chronicled in a documentary released on Amazon Prime Video last week.
The legendary manager also took the time to open up about his terminal cancer diagnosis.
And in one heartbreaking clip, he revealed where he wanted his ashes spread.
Sitting next to Lake Fryken in Sweden, he said: “Beautiful place. It makes you calm. It makes me calm.
“Below the mountain there is where my father grew up. And if you look straight on that’s Torsby where I was growing up. And in Sunne I was born.
“I always thought, great place to sleep. The ashes could be thrown into the water here. It feels like home.”
FOLLOWING Sven-Goran Eriksson's death from his battle with cancer, SunSport takes a look at his remarkable managerial career...
PROMISING START
It began in Sweden in 1977 where he won the third division with Degerfors, before he joined Gothenburg and won two Swedish Cups and the Uefa Cup.
He then took over at Benfica in 1982 and spent two seasons with the Portuguese giants where he won back-to-back league titles.
INCREDIBLE ITALIAN SUCCESS
Stints followed in Italy with Roma and Fiorentina, but he returned to Benfica in 1989 and reached the European Cup final before losing to AC Milan.
Eriksson claimed a third league title with Benfica the following year, leaving in 1992 for Sampdoria.
He spent five seasons with the Serie A side, winning the Copa Italia in 1994.
Eriksson then added another two Coppa Italias to his trophy cabinet with Lazio across a four-year spell.
ENGLAND APPOINTMENT
Then came the England job in 2001 where he spent five years at the helm of the national side.
He reached the quarter-finals of World Cup 2002, losing 2-1 to eventual winners Brazil.
England then suffered back-to-back eliminations at the hands of Portugal at Euro 2004 and World Cup 2006.
PREMIER LEAGUE SPELLS
After leaving the Three Lions following his third major tournament, he spent one season at Manchester City.
Spells followed at Mexico, Ivory Coast and Leicester, before he moved to China where he coached three clubs across a four-year period.
His last managerial stint came for the Philippines national team, a position he held from October 2018 to January 2019.
MAJOR HONOURS
Portugal League title x 3 (Benfica 82/83, 83/84, 90/91)
Copa Italia x 4 (Roma 85/86, Sampdoria 93/94, Lazio 97/98, 99/00)
Serie A title (Lazio 99/00)
Uefa Cup Winners’ Cup (Lazio 98/99)
Uefa Super Cup (Lazio 99)
BBC Sports Personality Coach of the Year (England 2001)
