DAVID Beckham will lead soccer legends and dignitaries saluting England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson at his star-studded funeral in Sweden on Friday.
Becks, 49, was the Swedish coach’s captain during their Three Lions heyday and will fly to pay tribute in person at Sven’s home town of Torsby.
Sven’s longtime lover Nancy Dell’olio, 63, will also join hundreds of mourners at a colourful funeral procession staged to celebrate the soccer legend’s life.
A source told The Sun: “David will be going to the funeral – he was very close to Sven and wants to say goodbye in person.
“It will be a low key appearance – he won’t be giving a eulogy or saying any words but will definitely be there.”
Sven – who succumbed to pancreatic cancer in August, eight months after revealing his terminal diagnosis – was England manager for all but two of Becks’ 59 matches as captain.
Paying tribute, the former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Inter Milan superstar said: “Sven, thank you for always being the person you have always been, passionate, caring, calm and a true gentleman.
“I will be forever grateful for you making me your captain.”
Beckham posted his message on social media alongside a video of the pair from his visit to see the ailing former coach after he revealed he had “at best” a year to live.
The former Three Lions superstar recalled: “We laughed, we cried and we knew we were saying goodbye.
“I will forever hold these last memories of this day with you and your family.
“Thank you Sven and in your last words to me: “It will be OK”.”
Sven’s send-off has been organised by his last partner, flame-haired Panamanian beauty Yaniseth Alcides and his children from his first marriage, Johan, 45, and Lina, 37.
Glamorous Yaniseth – who has a son from a previous relationship – enjoyed glitzy gala dinners with Sven until a few months before his death.
The soccer svengali spent his last days at his stunning waterside retreat at Sunne on Sweden’s Lake Fryken and died surrounded by loved ones.
Hundreds are expected to throng his funeral at picturesque Fryksände Church in the nearby town of Torsby, which will be followed by a New Orleans-style funeral procession.
The town’s brass band will lead his coffin on a 700-metres parade to the Kollsberg homestead museum where speeches and eulogies will be given.
Band leaders will pack a string of Sven’s favourite jazz songs into the 14-minute march intended to live up to Sven’s mantra: “Celebrate life.”
The funeral will be the biggest ever staged in Sven’s home town of Torsby – population 4,000 – with 200 seats reserved for close family and friends inside the 600-seat red brick church.
A big TV screen will be set up outside for hundreds of more mourners expected outside once the pews are filled.
Eriksson’s agent, Bo Gustavsson, said Sven – known as “Svennis” in Sweden – wanted “ordinary people” to attend.
Guests have been asked to wear black at the service, which will be packed with Sven’s many Swedish pals, townsfolk and football pals from across the globe..
Woman priest Ingela Älvskog, 64, was asked to officiate – after the pair became friends when she joined Fryksände Church in 2014.
Ingela – who is returning especially after a spell preaching abroad – said: “This is such an honourable mission that I have been given.
“He would come to church. He was so nice. I am friends with his family and especially his father Sven.
“There are so many good things to say about Svennis. He was a man full of joy and love.”
Like Becks, Sven’s ex Nancy – at his side throughout his five-year England reign up to 2006 – also said tearful goodbyes after his diagnosis.
The former kingpin of English soccer and his first lady reconciled and shared tender moments on the phone up until a few weeks before his death.
Nancy said: “It was hard, but he sounded so relaxed and we were laughing and he would just say ‘I feel okay’.
“It was quite difficult to even be talking but I tried to be fearless and see how he was. I wanted to get together for another dinner.
“I find it difficult being here talking about Sven knowing that he is not here with us anymore.
“He was loveable – when you love someone you will love them forever. He was a very kind person.”
Nancy later broke down and wept in a ITV interview as she told of her pain at the loss of the “love of her life”.
Sven’s aides last night declined to give a full list of guests expected at the funeral – but a string of stars and footy friends are expected.
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)
Football Association deputy CEO Mark Burrows will attend to represent England soccer chiefs.
Sven’s last written words were revealed on the eve of his funeral yesterday – urging readers to enjoy life to the full.
He told how he passed on the advice to former player Didier Hamann, who found him cracking open champagne on the day he was sacked by Manchester City in 2008.
Sven wrote in his last, an unfinished, last column for the Daily Telegraph: “Life is to be celebrated. I always had that attitude.
“Celebrate life. That has always been my mindset – whatever is thrown at you.”
