Former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson expressed his joy at realizing his long-held dream of coaching Liverpool, describing it as “truly wonderful.”
The 76-year-old, a lifelong Liverpool supporter, played a role in guiding a Liverpool Legends team to a 4-2 victory over an Ajax Legends side at Anfield on Saturday.
This event occurred after Swede Eriksson revealed his terminal cancer diagnosis back in January.
“That will be a huge memory in life,” said Eriksson, who received a standing ovation when he emerged from the tunnel just before the teams.
“Absolutely beautiful.”
There was a rendition of You’ll Never Walk Alone before kick-off and Eriksson was in the Reds dugout along with a management team of former Liverpool greats Ian Rush, John Barnes and John Aldridge.
A Liverpool team including former captain Steven Gerrard came back from 2-0 to win, with Gregory Vignal, Nabil El Zhar, Djibril Cisse and Fernando Torres scoring.
Eriksson and the players were also applauded when they walked around the pitch following the final whistle.
“To sit on the bench for Liverpool, that’s been my dream my whole life. Now it happened, and it was a beautiful day in all meanings,” added the Swede.
“The crowd, the game, the players, everything, fantastic, and thank you to Liverpool for giving me this opportunity, to invite me for such an important game – it’s not points, but the importance of the game is incredible.
“It was full of emotions, tears coming. It’s been my dream club all my life – even when I had England, I also supported Liverpool, but I couldn’t say it at that time.
“It’s a good finish, to finish with Liverpool, it can’t be much better than that.”
Eriksson made history as the inaugural foreign coach to lead England in 2001. Over his five-year tenure, he steered the team to the quarter-finals of the 2002 and 2006 World Cups, along with the last eight of the 2004 European Championships.
His illustrious management career includes winning the UEFA Cup with Gothenburg and the European Cup Winners’ Cup with Lazio, where he also clinched the Serie A title. Eriksson notably had stints at Manchester City and Leicester City as well.
Before the game, he had an encounter with current Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.
“Sven being here was very special,” said Gerrard, who played for England under Eriksson.
“As soon as I knew he was going to be the gaffer today, I couldn’t wait to come and play for him one more time.”