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

  1. Inside the church as mourners prepare for service to begin

    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.

    Inside the Fryksande church

  2. David Beckham joins mourners arriving at funeral

    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.

    David Beckham arrives at funeral of Sven-Goran ErikssonPA Media
    David Beckham arrives at funeral of Sven-Goran ErikssonPA Media

  3. Eriksson's family welcomes mourners

    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.

    Eriksson's father Sven, aged 95, arrives for his son's funeralPA Media

    Eriksson's father Sven, aged 95, arrives for his son's funeral

    Daughter Lina hugs a mourner as they arrivePA Media

    Daughter Lina hugs a mourner as they arrive

    Eriksson's son Johan greets guests outside the churchPA Media

    Eriksson's son Johan greets guests outside the church

  4. Mourners arriving at Eriksson's funeral

    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.

  5. 'A foreigner can never be England manager'

    Sven-Goran Eriksson.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.

  6. Eriksson remembered: ‘He’s one of the greatest ever’

    Sven-Goran ErikssonReuters

    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.

  7. Sven-Goran Eriksson being laid to rest

    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.

    Sven-Goran ErikssonReuters