Sven-Goran Eriksson, the former England manager, has received a heartfelt tribute from his ex-lover, Nancy Dell’Olio. The Italian beauty, who was in a relationship with Eriksson for almost ten years, shared a series of never-before-seen romantic pictures on Instagram. In one photo, she is seen laughing while sitting on Eriksson’s lap, with his arms around her waist. Another picture shows the couple looking passionately into each other’s eyes. Nancy referred to Eriksson as her “ex-husband” in a passionate letter about their time together, emphasizing that “love never truly fades.”
Their relationship had its ups and downs, with Eriksson having affairs with Swedish television presenter Ulrika Jonsson in 2002 and Football Association secretary Faria Alam in 2004. Despite the media backlash, Nancy remained loyal to him and even threw lavish parties for the WAGS during the 2006 World Cup in Germany. However, after ten years together, they eventually parted ways in August 2007.
Nancy’s tribute to Eriksson comes after the devastating news of his passing at the age of 76 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. In January, Eriksson revealed that he had terminal cancer and had at best a year to live. His family confirmed his death in a heartbreaking statement and requested privacy to mourn in private.
Eriksson’s managerial career was an illustrious one. He began in Sweden in 1977, winning the third division with Degerfors before achieving success with Gothenburg, Benfica, Roma, Fiorentina, and Lazio. He then took on the role of England manager in 2001, leading the national team to the quarter-finals of the 2002 World Cup. After leaving the England job, he had managerial spells at Manchester City, Mexico, Ivory Coast, Leicester, and various clubs in China. His last managerial position was with the Philippines national team.
Throughout his career, Eriksson won several titles and honors, including three Portuguese league titles, four Coppa Italia titles, one Serie A title, and the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup. He was also named BBC Sports Personality Coach of the Year in 2001.
In a recent documentary about his life, Eriksson shared a poignant goodbye message, expressing his appreciation for the support he received from friends and football fans during his illness. He revealed that he wanted his ashes to be spread in a beautiful place near his hometown in Sweden.
Sven-Goran Eriksson’s legacy in football is undeniable, and his passing marks the end of an era. He will be remembered for his achievements on the field and the impact he had on the sport. Nancy Dell’Olio’s tribute serves as a reminder of the love and connection they shared during their time together, despite the challenges they faced. Love may have its ups and downs, but as Nancy wrote, it never truly fades.