SVEN-GORAN ERIKSSON’S children were by his side during his battle with terminal cancer.
The former England manager passed away in August, aged 76, after revealing in January 2024 that he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
Before having his high profile romance with Nancy Dell’Olio, Sven-Goran Eriksson‘s was married to Ann-Christine Pettersson.
The former couple got hitched in 1977, before divorcing in 1994 when he admitted to having an affair with Graziella Mancinelli.
Since her marriage to the former football manager came to an end, Ann-Christine has kept herself out of the public spotlight
Eriksson went on to date Graziella until 1998, before calling it off.
Speaking to the MailOnline, he said: “When I got the job managing Lazio, she’d wanted to move to Rome with me. But I think I’d tired of Graziella by then.”
During his relationship with Anne-Christine, Eriksson welcomed two children.
His eldest child is his son Johan, who was born in 1979.
Johan played football before taking up coaching.
He had a short-lived position on the coaching staff at Nigerian football club Kwara United from 2006-2007, and now works as a football agent.
After his father’s cancer diagnosis both Johan and his sister, Lina, had been staying with Sven at his home.
The former England boss revealed in January 2024 he had 12 months left to live after medical staff were unable to operate.
His cancer was found after the Swede suffered five consecutive strokes.
A new Amazon Prime Video documentary called Sven chronicles his life and the impact his diagnosis has had on family members.
In one heartbreaking scene, son Johan revealed the moment they were told about Eriksson‘s health condition.
Johan said: “I had 10 missed calls from my sister, ‘Dad’s in the emergency room’.
“He’s not in a good way. You can kind of tell when the doctor’s in tears that… not good. Worst possible news.”
Lina was born eight years after big brother Johan, in 1987.
She also rallied behind her dad before his passing while he was dealing with his illness.
In the Amazon doc she talks about how she came to terms with the news her father had incurable pancreatic cancer.
Lina said: “We found out that he had had five strokes and then you go into a state of fear. A panic mode.”
I’m sort of scared. It takes time, a little bit of time before you can accept it. I’m still here
Sven-Goran Eriksson
Eriksson added: “One day, I woke up and I felt dizzy. Yeah, it’s cancer I have and that’s it.
“The medicine, we don’t know what’s going to happen.
“I’m sort of scared. It takes time, a little bit of time before you can accept it. I’m still here.”
Lina’s father took charge of 67 England matches between January 2001 and July 2006, winning 40 games.
He also had successful club spells with Benfica, Roma and Lazio.
And he managed twice in England with Manchester City and Leicester.
Speaking in January 2024, Sven revealed more about his cancer diagnosis.
He said: “I thought I was fully healthy but suddenly I had a small stroke so I fell and my children took me to the hospital.
“After one day of examination they told me I had five small strokes, but said, ‘No problem, you will recover 100% from that’, but worse is they said I have cancer which they can’t operate on.
“They said they will give me treatment and medicine to try and live as long as possible. I have that diagnosis and they can’t operate, unfortunately.”
Speaking in January 2024, Eriksson revealed more about his diagnosis.
He said: “I thought I was fully healthy but suddenly I had a small stroke so I fell and my children took me to the hospital.
“After one day of examination they told me I had five small strokes, but said, ‘No problem, you will recover 100% from that’, but worse is they said I have cancer which they can’t operate on.
“They said they will give me treatment and medicine to try and live as long as possible. I have that diagnosis and they can’t operate, unfortunately.”
On August 26, 2024, Eriksson’s family released a touching statement confirming his death, reading: “Sven-Goran Eriksson has passed away.
“After a long illness, SGE died during the morning at home surrounded by family.”
