Terminally-ill Sven-Goran Eriksson could manage Liverpool as fans want to support dying wish of ex-England boss

Posted Sunday, January 14, 2024 by Goal.com

Liverpool supporters have urged the club's management to grant terminally ill Sven-Goran Eriksson's desire to manage the club.

WHAT HAPPENED?
The former England manager, who has pancreatic cancer, has said he has "at best" a year to live. Eriksson has also revealed that he has always wanted to manage Liverpool as he's a lifelong Reds fan.

As a result of the touching conversation, fans have embraced the notion of the 75-year-old leading the LFC Legends team in a charity match against Ajax in March at Anfield.

The annual match benefits the LFC Foundation, which helps children and young people. The suggestion was made by Liverpool fan and YouTuber, Douglas Horne, originally and was then doubled down by John Gibbons of the Anfield Wrap podcast, as per Sky Sports.

WHAT GIBBONS SAID
Gibbons told Sky News: "I think people would think it a lovely thing. He's a popular person, but knowing that he's got this dream of being a Liverpool manager all this time just kind of hit home for those Liverpool fans even more really."

"We've got a legends game coming up in March, so a lot of Liverpool legends come back every year. It raises a lot of money for the fantastic LFC Foundation and there's maybe a role there to manage that team. It might be a legends game but it's always close to a full house at Anfield. A lot of great players, ex-players you know, play and it's a wonderful occasion."

"I'm sure as he's leading the teams out, you know this is Anfield, they will play You'll Never Walk Alone it'll feel like the closest thing. I've seen quite a few Liverpool fans mention that and I think it's a fantastic idea. It's not my idea, but it's one I've seen and I think it would be absolutely brilliant."

"Kenny Dalglish normally does it and he's done it loads of times, so I'm sure he'd be quite happy to pass it on to Sven because he's such a fantastic popular football man throughout the country. I'm sure everyone would love to see him do it."

THE BIGGER PICTURE
Eriksson revealed he has received "a lot of messages and phone calls" from former colleagues and players he coached, including during his time as England manager, after confirming his terminal cancer diagnosis on Thursday. Eriksson managed England's so-called "golden generation" of footballers between 2001 and 2006, including Beckham, Steven Gerrard, Wayne Rooney, and Frank Lampard.

WHEN WILL THE GAME TAKE PLACE?
The game between LFC Legends and Ajax Legends is set to take place on March 25 at Anfield. Eriksson has already said he would like to be at Wembley on March 24 to watch England take on Brazil in an international friendly.