Benfica mourned the death of their former coach Sven-Goran-Eriksson, 76, on Monday, remembering him as an example of “elegance, education and politeness” as well as a “revolutionary” coach and “at the forefront of his time.”
“Without limiting himself to titles, Eriksson left his mark on Portuguese football as a revolutionary, a coach ahead of his time. On a social level, he always stood out for his elegance, education and courtesy. A coach and a real man for Benfica,” responded the da Luz club in a statement published on its official website.
The Lisbon emblem recalls the Swede as “one of the most iconic and renowned coaches” to have passed through Luz, emphasizing: “Sven-Göran Eriksson is a name that unites several generations of Benfica fans who, together, will never let him be forgotten.”
Eriksson died Monday at home aged 76 after battling pancreatic cancer, the former coach’s family said in a statement.
He made his name as a coach at Gothenburg, which led him to Benfica in the 1982/83 season, where he spent two seasons at Luz before returning in 1989 for another three seasons at the Eagles.
At Benfica, the coach, who was hired by businessman Borge Lantz, after winning the UEFA Cup with Gothenburg, revolutionised the Reds’ football with his innovative ideas at the time and led the team to three league titles (1982/83, 1983/84 and 1990/91), the Super Cup (1989/90) and the Portuguese Cup (1982/83).
Eriksson also captained the Eagles in the 1982–83 UEFA Cup final, losing to Anderlecht over two legs, and the 1989–90 Champions League final, which they lost 1–0 to Milan in Vienna.
The results of his first spell at Benfica led to the coach becoming in demand in Europe, and at various times he led him to Serie A as coach of Roma, Fiorentina, Sampdoria and Lazio.
He later worked as a coach for the England, Mexico, Ivory Coast and Philippines national teams, and was also a coach for Manchester City, Notts County, Leicester, Shanghai SIPG, Guangzhou and others.
Earlier this year, the coach announced that he had been diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer and that doctors believed he had less than a year to live.
This news deserves a wave of solidarity and memory for the coach, who was personally honoured by some of the clubs he played for, from Gothenburg to Sampdoria, as well as Benfica.
The Reds welcomed the coach to the Estádio da Luz in April ahead of a Europa League tie with Marseille, and Eriksson received a standing ovation not only from the fans but also from many of the players he coached who were there that day… your side.
Toni, who was his assistant, and players such as Maniche, Rui Águas, César Brito, Humberto Coelho, Shu Hang, Filipovic, Valido, Veloso, João Alves, Vitor Paneira, Bastos Lopes, Waldo, Diamantino, Carlos Manuel or Álvaro Magalhães, some of his former players, who surrounded him after giving him the hall of honour, amid applause and cheers.
“Ericsson: from 1982 until the end,” wrote fans.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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