LIVERPOOL
Sven-Göran Eriksson to manage Liverpool just for one day
The Swedish coach has always wanted to manage the Reds. His wish will be fulfilled in next month’s charity match against Ajax Legends at Anfield.
It was always at the back of Sven-Göran Eriksson’s mind to one day occupy the bench at Anfield. The Swedish coach, who turned 76 last week, will finally see his dream come true next month when he will lead a team of Liverpool veterans against counterparts from Ajax in the annual Legends charity match. A club statement read: “Liverpool FC is delighted to confirm Sven-Göran Eriksson will be part of the LFC Legends management team for the game against Ajax Legends at Anfield, on 23 March. 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”.
One hundred per cent of the proceeds raised from the game will go towards supporting the work of LFC Foundation and its charity partners. The club’s two previous legends games - against Manchester United in 2022 and Celtic last year raised a combined total of £1.45 million - funds which have gone to provide help for areas of high need and deprivation across Merseyside.
Eriksson, lifelong Liverpool fan
Eriksson’s name was first mentioned for the role of guest manager of hosts in the Legends game last month, when he revealed that he has been diagnosed with a terminal illness. The coach is battling pancreatic cancer, which is believed to be at an advanced stage. The Swedish coach recently admitted being a lifelong Liverpool fan, following the team with the same passion his father since he was a boy growing up in Torsby. He explained that he had to hide his predilection for the Reds during his time as England manager as to not cause any misunderstandings. He confessed to Sky Sports back in 2010, “I’ve always been a Liverpool fan. I can say that now, I couldn’t say that when I was in England but I was always. My father as well, he is 90, and still is a Liverpool fan”.
The feeling is mutual. Liverpool as a club and a city has long enjoyed a special relationship with Scandinavia - a bond cemented forever not just by the players who arrived and went on to become Kop idols: Jan Molby, Sami Hyypia, John Arne Riise, Danny Agger, Jari Litmanen, Stig Inge Bjørnebye, Glenn Hysen... Nordic sailors even gifted the city with its own dish - Scouse, a hearty stew adopted from the Scandinavian Lapskaus.
Sven will oversee next month’s match from the dug-out - just like the many great, inspirational managers he watched during his younger days - legendary figures whose names are carved in Liverpool folklore: Bill Shankly, Bob Paisley, Joe Fagan... And however it turns out on the pitch, win, lose or draw, Eriksson is sure to receive a warm, heartfelt reception at Anfield.
A number of former Liverpool players have already been confirmed to form part of Eriksson’s squad: Jerzy Dudek, Fabio Aurelio, Martin Skrtel, Djibril Cisse, Sander Westerveld while Ryan Babel will play a half with each team. More names are expected to be announced in the coming weeks. Tickets for the Legends game are priced at £28 for adults, £8 for juniors and £18 for over 65s.
Last year, Eriksson was forced to quit his post as advisor to Swedish third-tier side IF Karlstad due to health problems. It was his most recent position in the game - and a career that spanned over four decades and included managerial posts at Benfica, Roma, Fiorentina, Sampdoria, Lazio, Manchester City and Leicester among others. His most successful spell was in Italy with Lazio, with whom he won the Serie A title, UEFA Cup, European Cup Winners’ Cup and four domestic cups - two each of the Coppa Italia and Supercoppa.