David Beckham and former England coach Roy Hodgson were present at the funeral of Sven-Goran Eriksson in the small town of Torsby, Sweden. The ceremony took place in the Fryksande church, where Eriksson’s wooden coffin adorned with white flowers and candles was surrounded by floral wreaths. The priest, Ingela Älvskog, expressed both grief and gratitude to those in attendance.
Eriksson, who was England’s first foreign-born coach and led the national team from 2001-2006, passed away at the age of 76 after battling pancreatic cancer. The funeral saw around 200 seats reserved for family, friends, and football colleagues, with additional seating available to the public as per Eriksson’s wishes. A large screen was set up outside for hundreds more to witness the ceremony, which was also broadcast live on Swedish media websites.
The funeral procession in Torsby involved pallbearers wheeling Eriksson’s coffin into the church amidst a foggy morning. Floral tributes were sent by FIFA and Lazio, a team Eriksson led to a Serie A title in 2000. The ceremony featured somber music, a rendition of Elton John’s “Candle In The Wind,” and the Italian classic “Volare,” performed by Swedish singer Charlotta Birgersson.
Beckham, who had flown in on a private jet, greeted Eriksson’s family before the service commenced. Following the funeral, the casket was escorted out of the church by eight men to a waiting hearse. The attendees then formed a procession to a nearby museum, where tributes and speeches for the coach, affectionately known as “Svennis,” were planned. The Torsby IF soccer club, where Eriksson began his career in the 1960s, paid tribute to his caring nature and genuine interactions with everyone he met.
