Stars bid goodbye to Sven: David Beckham and Nancy Dell’Olio share warm embrace as 600 mourners pack out church for iconic ex-England manager’s funeral
David Beckham, Nancy Dell’Olio and Roy Hodgson led mourners at Sven-Goran Eriksson’s funeral this morning in the former England manager’s hometown following his death aged 76 from pancreatic cancer.
Former captain Beckham, who led England under Eriksson at three major international tournaments, hugged the ex-coach’s longtime lover Dell’olio as they arrived at Fryksande church in the Swedish town of Torsby.
Eriksson’s children Johan and Lina and his 95-year-old father, also called Sven, were also in attendance along with Bengt Berg, a childhood friend who helped Eriksson write his forthcoming book A Beautiful Game.
Other mourners included Eriksson’s partner Yaniseth Alcides, former Liverpool and Sweden footballer Glenn Hysén, former head coach of Sweden Tommy Söderberg and former Swedish footballer Thomas Nordahl.
Crowds who gathered outside the church to watch the arrivals from about 8am local time (7am UK time) also saw Andrea Möllerberg, general secretary, and Kim Källström, head of football at the Swedish football federation.
David Beckham and Nancy Dell’Olio embrace at the funeral for Sven-Göran Eriksson at Fryksände church in Torsby today
David Beckham hugs Nancy Dell’Olio at Fryksände church in Torsby today ahead of the funeral for Sven-Göran Eriksson
David Beckham arrives at the funeral service for Sven-Goran Eriksson at Fryksände church in Torsby, Sweden, this morning
Sven-Goran Eriksson’s longtime lover Nancy Dell’Olio outside Fryksande Church in Torsby, Sweden ahead of today’s funeral
Sven-Goran Eriksson’s children Johan (left) and Lina (second left) arrive for his funeral at Fryksande Church in Torsby today
Yaniseth Alcides, partner of Sven-Göran Eriksson, arrives for the funeral in Torsby, Sweden, this morning
Sven-Goran Eriksson’s father, also called Sven, arrives at Fryksande Church in Torsby, Sweden, this morning for the funeral
The coffin of Sven-Goran Eriksson is carried into Fryksande Church in Torsby, Sweden, this morning ahead of his funeral
Sven-Goran Eriksson’s longtime lover Nancy Dell’Olio outside Fryksande Church in Torsby, Sweden ahead of today’s funeral
Sven-Goran Eriksson’s father Sven and son Johan greet each other outside Fryksande Church in Torsby, Sweden, this morning
Nancy Dell’Olio greets Sven-Goran Eriksson’s son Johan on the steps of Fryksande Church in Torsby, Sweden, today
Eriksson’s coffin arrived at Fryksande church at around 7am local time (8am UK), long before the arrival of any of the 600 guests – and a single bell tolled as his body was carried inside.
Ex-England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson, pictured in May 2006
Members of Sweden’s royal family were also expected to be in attendance, with roads surrounding the church in the small town where Eriksson grew up cordoned off by police.
Among those to arrive early was Bengt Berg, who said: ‘I’m very happy and very sad at the same time. But it’s fantastic to see him returning to his first point. It’s a very curious feeling.
‘He’s one of us and we share his glory. But when he returned here, he was just one of the hot dog eaters.’.
Under Eriksson’s direction, England reached the World Cup quarter-finals in 2002 and 2006, and the last-eight of Euro 2004.
He was England manager for five years, having previously guided Lazio to the Serie A title. He also managed Roma, Fiorentina and Sampdoria in Italy.
After stepping down from the England job, he held managerial posts with Manchester City, Leicester and the Mexico national team.
In his final words in a newspaper column following his death aged 76 from pancreatic cancer, Eriksson wrote: ‘Life is always to be celebrated.’
And that very same spirit was present among the many hundreds of people laying him to rest today in the huge and very public funeral in his hometown in western Sweden.
The sombre atmosphere was accompanied by a sense of thanksgiving for a man who was both a footballing great and a local hero.
Around 600 mourners were packed into Fryksande church, a stately red brick building perched on a hill overlooking the town, with 400 seats reserved for members of the public who queued from early in the morning to get a seat.
By 7.30am local time (6.30am UK) the area remained shrouded in thick fog, with temperatures hovering around 8C (46F). The fog later cleared but conditions remained overcast, although some sun is forecast later.
Among the congregation are the great and the good of world football, including Beckham – a member of the Golden Generation of England stars that Eriksson led for five years.
Sat the front of the church were Eriksson’s close family including his daughter, Lina and son, Johan, who followed in his father’s footsteps by playing football before going into management.
David Beckham arrives at the funeral service for Sven-Goran Eriksson at Fryksände church in Torsby, Sweden, this morning
Sven-Goran Eriksson’s daughter Lina greets guests outside Fryksande Church in Torsby, Sweden, before today’s funeral
Sven-Goran Eriksson’s longtime lover Nancy Dell’Olio outside Fryksande Church in Torsby, Sweden ahead of today’s funeral
David Beckham arrives at the funeral service for Sven-Goran Eriksson at Fryksände church in Torsby, Sweden, this morning
The interior of Fryksände church in Torsby, Sweden, this morning with the coffin before Sven-Goran Eriksson’s funeral
David Beckham arrives at the funeral service for Sven-Goran Eriksson at Fryksände church in Torsby, Sweden, this morning
Yaniseth Alcides, partner of Sven-Göran Eriksson, arrives for the funeral in Torsby, Sweden, this morning
Former England manager Roy Hodgson ahead of the funeral of Sven-Goran Eriksson in Torsby, Sweden, this morning
Sven-Goran Eriksson’s funeral is taking place at Fryksande Church in Torsby, Sweden, this morning
David Beckham arrives at the funeral service for Sven-Goran Eriksson at Fryksände church in Torsby, Sweden, this morning
Former Liverpool and Sweden footballer Glenn Hysén arrives for the funeral of Sven-Goran Eriksson Funeral in Torsby today
David Beckham at the funeral service for Sven-Goran Eriksson at Fryksände church in Torsby, Sweden, this morning
Nancy Dell’Olio greets Sven-Goran Eriksson’s son Johan on the steps of Fryksande Church in Torsby, Sweden, today
The coffin of Sven-Goran Eriksson is carried into Fryksande Church in Torsby, Sweden, this morning ahead of his funeral
David Beckham arrives at the funeral service for Sven-Goran Eriksson at Fryksände church in Torsby, Sweden, this morning
Members of the public outside the church ahead of the funeral of Sven-Goran Eriksson in Torsby this morning
Former Swedish footballer Thomas Nordahl ahead of the funeral of Sven-Goran Eriksson in Torsby this morning
David Beckham arrives at the funeral service for Sven-Goran Eriksson at Fryksände church in Torsby, Sweden, this morning
Tommy Söderberg, former head coach of Sweden, ahead of the funeral of Sven-Goran Eriksson in Torsby this morning
Sven-Goran Eriksson’s father, also called Sven, arrives at Fryksande Church in Torsby, Sweden, this morning for the funeral
Sven-Goran Eriksson’s daughter Lina greets guests outside Fryksande Church in Torsby, Sweden, before today’s funeral
His 95-year-old father Sven was also in attendance alongside Eriksson’s partner Yaniseth Alcides.
With so many wishing to pay tribute, hundreds more gathered outside the church to watch the proceedings screened live on a big screen.
While the rest of the world knew him as Sven, locals called him by his nickname, ‘Svennis’ – after his younger brother Lars-Erik’s attempt to pronounce his name.
Today, those attending the funeral said he was known around town for his friendly, approachable demeanour.
‘You could just go up to him, say hi, and he would be happy to have a conversation,’ one told MailOnline.
Eriksson’s coffin, which was brought into Fryksande church prior to the arrival of the congregation, was made of light-coloured wood and has been placed at the front of the church topped by a bouquet of white flowers and surrounded by four large candles.
At least ten more floral bouquets were spread around the steps leading up to the altar, while further up were four wreaths, including one bearing the banner of the Lazlo ultras.
Andrea Möllerberg, general secretary and Kim Källström, head of football at the Swedish football federation, arrive today
David Beckham arrives at the funeral service for Sven-Goran Eriksson at Fryksände church in Torsby, Sweden, this morning
Sven-Goran Eriksson’s funeral is taking place at Fryksande Church in Torsby, Sweden, this morning
Arrivals at Fryksande Church in Torsby, Sweden, this morning ahead of Sven-Goran Eriksson’s funeral
Nancy Dell’Olio greets Sven-Goran Eriksson’s son Johan on the steps of Fryksande Church in Torsby, Sweden, today
David Beckham arrives at the funeral service for Sven-Goran Eriksson at Fryksände church in Torsby, Sweden, this morning
Sven-Goran Eriksson’s children Johan (left) and Lina (right) arrive for his funeral at Fryksande Church in Torsby today
David Beckham arrives at the funeral service for Sven-Goran Eriksson at Fryksände church in Torsby, Sweden, this morning
Bengt Berg, who helped write Eriksson’s forthcoming book A Beautiful Game, arrives at the church this morning
The order of service for the funeral of former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson in his home town of Torsby today
Yaniseth Alcides, partner of Sven-Göran Eriksson, arrives for the funeral in Torsby, Sweden, this morning
Arrivals at Fryksande Church in Torsby, Sweden, this morning ahead of Sven-Goran Eriksson’s funeral
David Beckham arrives at the funeral service for Sven-Goran Eriksson at Fryksände church in Torsby, Sweden, this morning
Sven-Goran Eriksson’s father Sven and son Johan greet each other outside Fryksande Church in Torsby, Sweden, this morning
Sven-Goran Eriksson’s funeral is taking place at Fryksande Church in Torsby, Sweden, today
Yaniseth Alcides, partner of Sven-Göran Eriksson, arrives for the funeral in Torsby, Sweden, this morning
David Beckham arrives at the funeral service for Sven-Goran Eriksson at Fryksände church in Torsby, Sweden, this morning
Sven-Goran Eriksson’s daughter Lina greets guests outside Fryksande Church in Torsby, Sweden, before today’s funeral
David Beckham arrives at the funeral service for Sven-Goran Eriksson at Fryksände church in Torsby, Sweden, this morning
Sven-Goran Eriksson’s father, also called Sven, arrives at Fryksande Church in Torsby, Sweden, this morning for the funeral
Arrivals at Fryksande Church in Torsby, Sweden, this morning ahead of Sven-Goran Eriksson’s funeral
David Beckham arrives at the funeral service for Sven-Goran Eriksson at Fryksände church in Torsby, Sweden, this morning
Flowers from Fifa at Fryksände church in Torsby, Sweden, this morning before Sven-Goran Eriksson’s funeral
Arrivals at Fryksande Church in Torsby, Sweden, this morning ahead of Sven-Goran Eriksson’s funeral
David Beckham arrives at the funeral service for Sven-Goran Eriksson at Fryksände church in Torsby, Sweden, this morning
Arrivals at Fryksande Church in Torsby, Sweden, this morning ahead of Sven-Goran Eriksson’s funeral
Sven-Goran Eriksson’s funeral is taking place at Fryksande Church in Torsby, Sweden, this morning
Sven-Goran Eriksson’s son Johan greets guests outside Fryksande Church in Torsby, Sweden, before today’s funeral
Arrivals at Fryksande Church in Torsby, Sweden, this morning ahead of Sven-Goran Eriksson’s funeral
Sven-Goran Eriksson’s son Johan greets guests outside Fryksande Church in Torsby, Sweden, before today’s funeral
The order of service for the funeral of former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson in his home town of Torsby today
A series of popular songs were played on the organ as the guests assembled, including Louis Armstrong’s What a Wonderful World, Bridge Over Troubled Water and Yesterday by the Beatles.
Following the service, Torsby’s brass band will lead his coffin along the 700 yard walk from Fryksände church to the Kollsberg homestead, where friends and family will pay a more intimate tribute.
Prior to his death, Eriksson had publicly spoken of his wish to be buried at the spot, returning to the area for an Amazon Prime documentary and sharing his emotional connection to the area.
‘A beautiful place, it makes you calm, makes me calm,’ he said.
‘If you look straight on, that’s Torsby, where I grew up. I always thought great place, to sleep. The ashes could be thrown into the water here. It feels like home.’
The ‘New Orleans style’ procession is inspired by the colourful 1993 public funeral of Sampdoria president and owner Paolo Mantovani’s in Genoa, which Eriksson attended when he was a coach there and included jazz music.
The funeral has been hailed as the ‘biggest ever’ in the town’s history and preparations have been thorough, with the band’s conductor calculating that the route will take exactly 14 minutes so he can plan how many pieces of music he needs.
The interior of Fryksände church in Torsby, Sweden, this morning with the coffin before Sven-Goran Eriksson’s funeral
Arrivals at Fryksande Church in Torsby, Sweden, this morning ahead of Sven-Goran Eriksson’s funeral
Sven-Goran Eriksson’s father, also called Sven, arrives at Fryksande Church in Torsby, Sweden, this morning for the funeral
Sven-Goran Eriksson’s daughter Lina greets guests outside Fryksande Church in Torsby, Sweden, before today’s funeral
Former Liverpool and Sweden footballer Glenn Hysén arrives for the funeral of Sven-Goran Eriksson Funeral in Torsby today
Photogaphers outside the church ahead of the funeral of Sven-Goran Eriksson in Torsby this morning
David Beckham arrives at the funeral service for Sven-Goran Eriksson at Fryksände church in Torsby, Sweden, this morning
Sven-Goran Eriksson’s father Sven and son Johan greet each other outside Fryksande Church in Torsby, Sweden, this morning
The interior of Fryksände church in Torsby, Sweden, this morning with the coffin before Sven-Goran Eriksson’s funeral
Sven-Goran Eriksson’s son Johan greets guests outside Fryksande Church in Torsby, Sweden, before today’s funeral
Sven-Goran Eriksson’s funeral is taking place at Fryksande Church in Torsby, Sweden, this morning
David Beckham arrives at the funeral service for Sven-Goran Eriksson at Fryksände church in Torsby, Sweden, this morning
Arrivals at Fryksande Church in Torsby, Sweden, this morning ahead of Sven-Goran Eriksson’s funeral
Sven-Goran Eriksson’s funeral is taking place at Fryksande Church in Torsby, Sweden, this morning
David Beckham arrives at the funeral service for Sven-Goran Eriksson at Fryksände church in Torsby, Sweden, this morning
Arrivals at Fryksande Church in Torsby, Sweden, this morning ahead of Sven-Goran Eriksson’s funeral
The screen outside Fryksande Church in Torsby, Sweden, displays a picture of Eriksson ahead of the funeral this morning
Arrivals at Fryksande Church in Torsby, Sweden, this morning ahead of Sven-Goran Eriksson’s funeral
The interior of Fryksände church in Torsby, Sweden, this morning with the coffin before Sven-Goran Eriksson’s funeral
Sven-Goran Eriksson’s father, also called Sven, arrives at Fryksande Church in Torsby, Sweden, this morning for the funeral
David Beckham arrives at the funeral service for Sven-Goran Eriksson at Fryksände church in Torsby, Sweden, this morning
Born in Sunne just a half an hour journey away, Eriksson grew up in the small town of 4,000 people, before playing for local football team Torsby IF from 1964 to 1971.
The cosy, sleepy place would of course be the springboard for far greater success, with the mild-mannered Swede enjoying a stellar career taking in club giants including Roma and Lazio before coaching the Three Lions, Manchester City and Leicester.
Eriksson had tipped England for future tournament success in a final column for the Daily Telegraph earlier this summer, which his family permitted to be published ahead of his funeral.
‘Writing a piece about death of course makes you reflective. Everything went too quickly! Where did life go? But one thought always comes to the front of my mind: it has been a dream. One of the best jobs you can have in the world is to be a football manager,’ Eriksson wrote.
‘Being appointed as the England manager was a huge honour, perhaps the highlight of my career. When I was asked if I wanted the job, I didn’t believe it. It was one of the happiest days of my life. The job is impossible to refuse. There were many highs.
‘If I had ever lifted a World Cup with England, I would have collected the trophy and then retired. It would have been perfect. Sooner or later England will win a big trophy and I think it could happen very quickly. There is such huge quality in that team.’
Sven-Goran Eriksson’s children Johan (left) and Lina (second left) arrive for his funeral at Fryksande Church in Torsby today
The screen outside Fryksande Church in Torsby, Sweden, displays a picture of Eriksson ahead of the funeral this morning
Sven-Goran Eriksson’s children Johan (left) and Lina (second left) arrive for his funeral at Fryksande Church in Torsby today
Sven-Goran Eriksson’s son Johan greets guests outside Fryksande Church in Torsby, Sweden, before today’s funeral
The screen outside Fryksande Church in Torsby, Sweden, displays a picture of Eriksson ahead of the funeral this morning
Arrivals at Fryksande Church in Torsby, Sweden, this morning ahead of Sven-Goran Eriksson’s funeral
David Beckham arrives at the funeral service for Sven-Goran Eriksson at Fryksände church in Torsby, Sweden, this morning
Sven-Goran Eriksson’s son Johan ahead of today’s funeral at Fryksande Church in Torsby, Sweden
Sven-Goran Eriksson’s funeral is taking place at Fryksande Church in Torsby, Sweden, today
Sven-Goran Eriksson’s children Johan (left) and Lina (right) arrive for his funeral at Fryksande Church in Torsby today
Sven-Goran Eriksson’s funeral is taking place at Fryksande Church in Torsby, Sweden, today
Sven-Goran Eriksson’s children Johan (left) and Lina (second left) arrive for his funeral at Fryksande Church in Torsby today
Sven-Goran Eriksson’s father, also called Sven, arrives at Fryksande Church in Torsby, Sweden, this morning for the funeral
Flowers from Lazio at Fryksände church in Torsby, Sweden, this morning before Sven-Goran Eriksson’s funeral
Arrivals at Fryksande Church in Torsby, Sweden, this morning ahead of Sven-Goran Eriksson’s funeral
David Beckham arrives at the funeral service for Sven-Goran Eriksson at Fryksände church in Torsby, Sweden, this morning
A reporter from Sky Sports speaks ahead of the funeral of Sven-Goran Eriksson in Torsby this morning
Sven-Goran Eriksson’s children Johan (left) and Lina (second left) arrive for his funeral at Fryksande Church in Torsby today
Sven-Goran Eriksson’s father, also called Sven, arrives at Fryksande Church in Torsby, Sweden, this morning for the funeral
Arrivals at Fryksande Church in Torsby, Sweden, this morning ahead of Sven-Goran Eriksson’s funeral
Eriksson announced in January his cancer diagnosis and revealed he had at best a year to live, which sparked an outpouring of adulation and resulted in visits to several former clubs in addition to Liverpool, who allowed the lifelong Reds fan to manage their Legends team at Anfield in March.
After he described the experience as beautiful and reflected fondly on ‘fireball’ Wayne Rooney, Eriksson wrote: ‘The response from the public has been wonderful. It gave me energy and positivity. I have cried a lot over the past few months. They have been happy tears, mostly.
‘I would like people to remember me as a decent coach who tried to do his best. My message to everyone would be: don’t give up. Never give up. Do not give up, is my message for life. And please don’t forget this: life is always, always to be celebrated.’