DAVID Beckham will lead football legends and dignitaries to salute England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson at his star-studded funeral in Sweden on Friday.
Becks, 49, captained the Swedish coach during their Three Lions heyday and will fly to Sven’s hometown of Torsby to pay his respects in person.
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David Beckham will lead football legends and dignitaries to greet England manager Sven-Goran ErikssonCredit: Reuters
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Mourning book near Fryksande Church in Torsby where the funeral will take placeCredit: Doug Seeburg
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David Beckham’s private jet lands today at Karlstad Airport in SwedenCredit: EPA
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Hundreds are expected to turn out for his funeral, which will be followed by a New Orleans-style funeral processionCredit: EPA
Sven’s long-time lover Nancy Dell’olio, 63, will also join hundreds of mourners in a colorful funeral procession organized to honor the football 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 performance – he won’t give a eulogy or say any words, but he’ll 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 games as captain.
Paying tribute, the former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Inter Milan superstar said: “Sven, thank you for always being the person you always were, passionate, caring, calm and a true gentleman.
“I will be forever grateful to you for making me your captain.”
Beckham posted his message on social media alongside a video of the pair from his visit to the ailing former coach after revealing 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 cherish these last memories of this day with you and your family forever.
“Thank you Sven and in his last words addressed to me: “Everything will be OK”.
David Beckham shares heartbreaking tribute video after tragic death of former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson
Sven’s farewell was organized by his last partner, the 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 final days at his stunning waterfront retreat in Sunne on Sweden’s Lake Fryken and died surrounded by loved ones.
Hundreds of people are expected to gather for his funeral at the picturesque Fryksände Church in the nearby town of Torsby, followed by a New Orleans-style funeral procession.
The city’s brass band will lead his coffin in a 700-meter-long parade to the Kollsberg Museum, where speeches and eulogies will be held.
Bandleaders will pack a number of Sven’s favorite jazz songs into a 14-minute march intended to fulfill Sven’s mantra: “Celebrate Life.”
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Sven sadly died of pancreatic cancer in August, eight months after revealing his terminal diagnosisCredit: AFP
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Inside Fryksande Church in Torsby, SwedenCredit: EPA
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David Beckham captained the Swedish coach during the Three Lions’ heyday Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
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Sven delivered a final farewell message just a few months before his deathCredit: Amazon Prime
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Becks wrote heartfelt tribute ‘I will be forever grateful for making me your captain’ Credit: Times Newspapers Ltd
The funeral will be the largest ever held 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 large TV screen will be set up outside for the hundreds more mourners expected outside once the pews are filled.
Eriksson’s agent, Bo Gustavsson, said Sven – known in Sweden as “Svennis” – wanted “ordinary people” to attend.
Guests are asked to wear black to the service, which will be packed with Sven’s many Swedish friends, citizens and football friends from around the world.
Priest Ingel Älvski, 64, was asked to serve – after they became friends when she joined the Fryksände church in 2014.
Ingela – who is returning especially after a period of preaching abroad – said: “This is such an honorable mission that I have been given.
“He would come to church. He was so nice. I am friends with his family, especially his father Sven.
“There are so many good things to say about Svennis. He was a man full of joy and love.”
‘A VERY KIND PERSON’
Like Becks, Sven’s ex Nancy – by his side during his five-year England reign until 2006 – also bid a tearful farewell following his diagnosis.
The former king of English football and his first lady reconciled and shared tender moments on the phone 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 good’.
“It was quite difficult to even talk, but I tried to be fearless and see what he was like. I wanted to meet for another dinner.
“It’s hard for me to be here and talk about Sven knowing that he is no longer here with us.
“He was lovely – when you love someone, you will love them forever. He was a very kind person.”
Nancy later broke down and cried in an interview with ITV as she spoke of her pain at losing the “love of my life”.
Sven’s colleagues last night refused to give a full list of guests expected at the funeral – but a number of stars and friends are expected.
Managerial career of Sven-Goran Eriksson
FOLLOWING the death of Sven-Goran Eriksson from his battle with cancer, SunSport have looked back at his incredible managerial career…
A PROMISING START
It started in Sweden in 1977 where he won the third division with Degerfors, before joining Gothenburg and winning two Swedish Cups and the UEFA Cup.
He then took over Benfica in 1982 and spent two seasons with the Portuguese giants where he won league titles.
INCREDIBLE ITALIAN SUCCESS
Plays in Italy with Roma and Fiorentina followed, but he returned to Benfica in 1989 and reached the European Cup final before losing to AC Milan.
Eriksson won his third league title with Benfica the following year, and in 1992 he left for Sampdoria.
He spent five seasons with the Serie A team, winning the Copa Italia in 1994.
Eriksson then added two more Coppa Italias to his trophy drawer with Lazio over four years.
ENGLAND APPOINTMENT
Then came a job in England in 2001 where he spent five years in charge of the national team.
It reached the quarter-finals of the 2002 World Cup, losing 2-1 to eventual winners Brazil.
England then suffered back-to-back eliminations by Portugal at Euro 2004 and the 2006 World Cup.
THE SPELLS OF THE PREMIER LEAGUE
After leaving the Three Lions after his third major tournament, he spent one season at Manchester City.
Periods in Mexico, Ivory Coast and Leicester followed, before moving to China where he coached three clubs over four years.
His last managerial tenure was for the Philippine national team, where he held the position from October 2018 to January 2019.
GREAT HONOR
Portuguese 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)
The Football Association’s deputy chief executive Mark Burrows will attend to represent English football chiefs.
Sven’s last written words were published yesterday ahead of his funeral – urging readers to enjoy life to the fullest.
He told how he passed on the advice to former player Didier Hamann, who found him popping champagne on the day he was sacked by Manchester City in 2008.
In his final, unfinished, final column for the Daily Telegraph, Sven wrote: “Life should be celebrated. I’ve always had that attitude.
“Celebrate life. That’s always been my way of thinking – whatever is thrown at you.”
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Beckham to pay tribute in person at star-studded funeralCredit: PA
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Lina and Johan Eriksson assisted with funeral planningCredit: Andrew Timms
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Former England football manager with his ex-girlfriend Nancy Dell’olioCredit: Getty
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Eriksson’s partner of the last 15 years, Yaniseth del Carmen Bravo Mendoza, stood by his side in his final days Credit: Alamy
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