Sven-Goran Eriksson funeral: David Beckham joins mourners as former England manager is remembered

Summary

Former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson has been remembered as loving father who enjoyed salsa dancing at his funeral in Sweden
David Beckham was among the mourners paying their respects in the Swedish town of Torsby
Eriksson, who died aged 76, was the first non-British manager of the England team between 2001 and 2006
He led the Three Lions to the quarter-finals of the 2002 and 2006 World Cup and 2004 Euros

Live Reporting

Edited by Matt Spivey

Inside the church as mourners prepare for service to beginpublished at 08:53 British Summer Time 13 September 2024
We're now seeing inside the Fryksande church in the Swedish town of Torsby as mourners are taking their seats ahead of the service.
Around 600 mourners dressed in black are still filing in to the sounds of gentle piano music. Sven-Goran Eriksson's coffin sits in the centre of the church, with chandeliers displayed above and floral arrangements.
The service is soon to begin. You can follow along by clicking Watch Live at the top of this page.
David Beckham joins mourners arriving at funeralpublished at 08:42 British Summer Time 13 September 2024
Former England captain David Beckham has just arrived at Fryksande church for the the funeral of his former manager.
Sven-Goran Eriksson managed England from 2001 to 2006, during that time Beckham captained three major international tournaments.
Image source, PA Media
Image source, PA Media
Eriksson's family welcomes mournerspublished at 08:36 British Summer Time 13 September 2024
We can now bring you some pictures of Sven-Goran Eriksson's family greeting mourners outside Fryksande Church in Torsby, Sweden, ahead of today's funeral service.
His father Sven, aged 95, daughter Lina and son Johan are in attendance.
Image source, PA Media
Image caption,
Eriksson's father Sven, aged 95, arrives for his son's funeral
Image source, PA Media
Image caption,
Daughter Lina hugs a mourner as they arrive
Image source, PA Media
Image caption,
Eriksson's son Johan greets guests outside the church
Mourners arriving at Eriksson's funeralpublished at 08:22 British Summer Time 13 September 2024
Mourners are beginning to arrive in the Swedish town of Torsby for the funeral of former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson.
We're expecting around 600 mourners, including former England captain David Beckham and other members of the squad managed by Eriksson between 2001 and 2006.
Members of Sweden's royal family are due to arrive soon too, so there's tight security with police cordoning off some of the roads around the church.
A single bell tolled as Eriksson's coffin was carried into Fryksande church about two hours ago.
We're told that the funeral will begin at 10:00 local time (09:00 BST), followed by a procession to Kollsbergs hembygdsgard.
'A foreigner can never be England manager'published at 08:15 British Summer Time 13 September 2024
Image source, PA Media
Sven-Goran Eriksson made history as the first foreigner to lead the England men’s football team. In a 2018 documentary, he describes the moment he was first offered the job.
He recalls driving in southern Italy when he got a call from a football agent inquiring if he’d be interested.
A surprised Eriksson responded: “You know that’s impossible. A foreigner can never be the manager of England.”
Speaking about the response to him taking on the role in 2001, he recalls seeing people holding signs saying “go home, we don’t want any foreign manager for England”.
But he also found support among players, with former player Rio Ferdinand saying, when asked about having a foreign manager: “I don’t care if he comes from China, from England, Sweden or from the moon” as long as he helps the team win.
Eriksson remembered: ‘He’s one of the greatest ever’published at 08:08 British Summer Time 13 September 2024
Image source, Reuters
Former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson in January said he had "at best" a year to live after being diagnosed with cancer.
There were many tributes to Eriksson following the announcement of his death on 26 August.
Former Leicester City and Sweden International football player Pontus Kamark tells BBC’s Sport Today that Eriksson was “one of the greatest-ever” Swedish football figures.
- Listen to Kamark pay tribute to Eriksson on Sport Today
Sven-Goran Eriksson being laid to restpublished at 08:02 British Summer Time 13 September 2024
Good morning and welcome to our coverage of the funeral of Sven-Goran Eriksson in his native Sweden - the first foreign manager of the England men’s football team. He died two weeks ago aged 76.
Taking over in 2001, Eriksson managed England to three major tournament quarter finals, as well as managing in the Premier League, Portugal and Italy.
There were many tributes to Eriksson following the announcement of his death, with former England striker Michael Owen describing him as “one of the very best”. David Beckham, England captain throughout Eriksson’s tenure, called him “passionate, caring, calm and a true gentleman”.
Throughout the morning, we’ll bring you updates from the service and you can watch along by clicking Watch Live at the top of this page. Please stay with us.
Image source, Reuters