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Sven-Goran Eriksson will be in charge of the Reds for the Legends charity match against Ajax (Credit: X)
The iconic 76-year-old Swede Eriksson, who guided England to the quarter-finals of the 2002 and 2006 World Cups, recently revealed in January that he had been battling with pancreatic cancer and that he had about a year to live.
In a heart-warming turn of events, former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson will get to live out a lifelong dream of his by managing Premier League side Liverpool in a charity legends game against Ajax at Anfield next month.
Eriksson became England’s first foreign-born coach after making his name winning league titles at club level with Lazio in Italy, Benfica in Portugal and Gothenburg in his native Sweden.
The iconic 76-year-old Swede Eriksson, who guided England to the quarter-finals of the 2002 and 2006 World Cups, recently revealed in January that he had been battling with pancreatic cancer and that he had about a year to live.
Sven-Goran Eriksson, who has been diagnosed with terminal cancer, said managing Liverpool was something he always wanted to do in his career.Now he’ll get that chance as he joins a Liverpool Legends management team for a charity game against Ajax ❤#BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/g1pLioP8AW
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) February 13, 2024
He then also went on to profess his love for the Merseyside club, stating that one of his dreams were to manage the Reds one day and that he felt despair at not being able to achieve that goal of his.
Upon hearing news of the same, current Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp had also previously stated that he was more than happy to hand Eriksson the reigns for a day at the club’s training ground.
“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,” Klopp said shortly after Eriksson revealed his diagnosis.
Liverpool confirm that Sven-Goran Eriksson will be part of the Legends management team for the game against Ajax Legends at Anfield on 23 March.A life long dream finally fulfilled. Class act by Liverpool, fair play. #LFC pic.twitter.com/FZqI4WpBKb
— Charlie⚜️ (@CharlieeLFC) February 13, 2024
“To have him here and show him everything and how this wonderful club developed over the years, I think that’s definitely something we will tell him.
“He can come over and have a few wonderful hours here, I’m sure.”
Well, dreams do come true, because Liverpool announced on Tuesday morning that Eriksson, will be in charge of their squad for the charity match against Ajax on March 23.
“The former England boss will join a dugout of LFC greats, including Ian Rush, John Barnes and John Aldridge, for the annual LFC Foundation charity match,” Liverpool said in a statement.
“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.”
Iconic former Liverpool players including the likes Jerzy Dudek, Sander Westerveld, Martin Skrtel, Fabio Aurelio, Gregory Vignal, Djibril Cisse and Ryan Babel are among the first batch of players to have been confirmed to play in the match, whose proceeds will all go towards supporting the work of the LFC foundation and its partners.
(with inputs from agencies)
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