This is Svenfield
Dying ex-england boss lands ‘dream’ role as Reds manager
SVEN-GORAN Eriksson has been granted his dying wish of managing Liverpool at Anfield.
The former England boss revealed last month he has “a year at best” to live after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
Sven, 75, said: “I always wished to be the manager of Liverpool, and that will not happen for sure, but I’m still a Liverpool fan.
“To coach Liverpool, that would be my dream.”
Now the club has stepped in to make that dream come true.
The Swede will take charge of an LFC Legends team for a charity match against Ajax Legends at Anfield on March 23.
Liverpool said yesterday: “All connected with the club and LFC Foundation look forward to warmly welcoming LFC fan Sven and his family to Anfield, and seeing him in the dugout on the day for a fantastic fundraising occasion.”
Sven will be joined by former Kop heroes, including Ian Rush, John Barnes and John Aldridge.
Former England and Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler, who is a Sunday Mirror columnist, had backed calls for Sven to be given the role. Reds boss Jurgen Klopp, speaking shortly after Sven went public with his diagnosis, had opened the door for him to spend the day as Liverpool manager.
He said: “I heard for the first time about his admiration or love for Liverpool and that he was a fan.
“Absolutely he’s very welcome to come here and he can sit in my seat in my office and do my job for a day if he wants. That’s no problem.”
SUCCESSFUL
Sven’s love for the red half of Merseyside came from his Liverpool-supporting father, also called Sven, an ex-bus conductor.
After retiring from playing aged 27, Sven went on to have a successful career as a manager with a string of teams including Benfica, Lazio and Manchester City. During his time in charge of England from 2001-2006, he led the team to the quarter-finals of the 2002 and 2006 World Cups and Euro 2004.
Last month Sven, who announced one England squad during a visit to Anfield in 2002, gave the news he was dying of cancer and pledged to spend his final days living a “normal life”.