Prince William took a moment from the family’s Scottish holiday to share a moving tribute to Sven-Göran Eriksson, the former England football manager, who passed away at the age of 76.
In a personal message posted on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, the Prince of Wales expressed his condolences to Eriksson's family. Signed "W," the post read: "Saddened to hear of the passing of Sven-Göran Eriksson. I had the pleasure of meeting him several times while he was England manager, and I was always impressed by his charisma and deep passion for the game. My thoughts are with his family and friends. A true gentleman of the sport. W."
Sven-Göran Eriksson had publicly revealed in January of this year that he had been diagnosed with terminal cancer and was given, at best, a year to live. Despite this, the news of his passing still came as a shock to the football world. In a statement shared with the BBC, his family announced that Eriksson died peacefully at home on Monday morning, surrounded by loved ones after a prolonged illness.
Eriksson, a Swedish native, was one of the most prominent figures in international football management. He managed the England national football team from 2001 to 2006, leading the squad through two World Cups, in 2002 and 2006, as well as the UEFA Euro 2004. During his tenure, he coached what many refer to as England's "Golden Generation," including legendary players such as David Beckham, Wayne Rooney, Steven Gerrard, and Frank Lampard.
Prince William’s connection to Sven-Göran Eriksson dates back to the 2006 World Cup, where the Prince was photographed alongside Eriksson and the England team. The Prince of Wales, a lifelong football enthusiast and current president of the Football Association (FA), has always taken a keen interest in England's footballing fortunes, making his tribute to Eriksson all the more personal and poignant.
