David Beckham wipes away tears at Sven-Goran Eriksson’s funeral
Football legend David Beckham was among a star-studded group of mourners farewelling one of England’s football greats.
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Football legend David Beckham has headline a star-studded group of mourners who farewelled former England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson.
Eriksson, who was in charge of the Three Lions’ Golden Generation, revealed in January he had “at best a year” to live after being diagnosed with cancer.
Eriksson passed away late last month after a short battle with pancreatic cancer at the age of 76.
The legendary coach was the England manager for five years, taking England to the quarter-finals in two World Cups and a European Championship.
It was a star-studded farewell for Eriksson, headlined by Beckham.
The England legend was seen hugging Eriksson’s devastated ex Nancy Dell’Olio as they arrived at the funeral.
Sven’s dad – also named Sven, his children Johan, 45, and Lina, 37, and partner Yaniseth Alcides were pictured gathered around his coffin during the tearful service.
Fellow former Three Lions boss Roy Hodgson is among the other mourners in attendance at Fryksande church in Sven’s home town of Torsby, Sweden.
Italian lawyer Dell’Olio, 63, who reconciled with Sven after his terminal diagnosis, was pictured tearfully wiping her eyes.
A coffin was earlier being carried inside, with a big screen outside projecting an image of Sven as people arrived before showing the service itself to a huge gathering on a lawn.
An organist’s version of Rod Stewart’s hit Sailing was played before the proceedings properly began.
Swedish singer Charlotta performed a special version of Candle in the Wind beginning with the words: “Goodbye Our Rose” in tribute to Sven’s England reign.
Woman priest Ingela Alvskog paid warm tribute to the kindness of “loving father” Sven and recalled “so much joy, so much laughter and so many beautiful memories.”
And she signed off her address as he old friend Sven always did when he parted with loved ones: “See you around – have a good one.”
Mourners later dabbed tears as Charlotta and vocalist Johan Birgersson performed a heart-rending duet of My Way.
source told The Sun Beckham – who was seen during the service wiping his eye – was “very close” to Sven and wanted to say “goodbye in person”.
Later, he stepped outside, took a deep breath, and clasped his hands together in quiet reflection.
As Sven-Göran Eriksson’s coffin is carried from the church, mourners walked behind in a solemn procession.
Family, friends, and football legends walk together, paying their final respects to the beloved coach.
This story first appeared in The Sun and was republished with permission.
Originally published as David Beckham wipes away tears at Sven-Goran Eriksson’s funeral
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