Liverpool fans are calling for former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson to achieve his ‘dream’ of managing the Reds by allowing him to take charge of their legends match against Ajax in March.
The legendary Swedish manager announced last week that he had been diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer and has ‘at best’ a year to live.
The campaign to offer the 75-year-old the chance to take charge at Anfield emerged after he announced his lifelong support of the club and his desire to be Liverpool manager.
Eriksson told Sky News: “My father is still alive and is still a Liverpool supporter, and I’m a Liverpool supporter as well, I’ve always been.
“So I always wished to be the manager of Liverpool, and that will not happen for sure, but I’m still a Liverpool fan.”
The Swede enjoyed a very successful managerial career that spanned over 40 years, in which he won a UEFA Cup, a UEFA Cup Winners Cup, four Coppa Italia’s, a Serie A title as well as taking Benfica to the final of the 1990 European Cup.
Eriksson also famously managed England’s 5-1 away victory over Germany in 2001, which memorably saw all Liverpool players on the scoresheet for England as Michael Owen scored a hattrick, with Steven Gerrard and Emile Heskey also finding the back of the net.
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Speaking to former Liverpool defender and a compatriot of the Swede, Glenn Hysen, told us: “He would love that (managing the Legends game). It will be one of the biggest things he’s ever done.
“No doubt he will do it. Absolutely, if he’s ok. It would be a great honour for him.”
The 75-year-old confirmed on Good Morning Britain that he would accept the offer to manage the Legends side if it did come in, saying: “I would accept, of course, that’s been my dream.
“There would be a lot of good football players, that’s always been my dream but I’m not complaining. I had a lot of good football teams, national teams, and the clubs, so I’m happy anyhow.”
A member of Sweden’s LFC Official Supporters Club, Pelle Ehnberg, also spoke to us on Eriksson:
Has it always been common knowledge in Sweden that Eriksson is a Liverpool fan?
“It’s a well-known fact in Sweden that Sven-Göran (or Svennis as we say) has been a Liverpool fan since childhood, ever since 1969 when Swedish television started showing live English matches on Saturdays at 4pm in a classic program called ‘Tipsextra’. His 95-year-old father, Sven, is also a big Liverpool supporter.
“Over the years, we have drawn attention to this countless times on our site lfc.se and Sven always speaks warmly of when Joe Fagan invited him to visit the club in the spring of 1984.”
Has the Legends game been a talking point in Sweden?
“Yes, this has been blown up by all the big Swedish media houses, as well as the fact that the Swedish supporters’ club lfc.se has run the campaign. Of course, social media is flooded with posts supporting the proposal. Everyone is now keeping their fingers crossed that the LFC Foundation will realise Sven’s lifelong dream in March!”
What is your final message regarding the campaign?
“I can see in front of me now, King Kenny and Sven together lead out the Liverpool Legends in front of a packed Anfield to the tune of You’ll Never Walk Alone. That would be a magical moment!
“Sven is Sweden’s greatest football coach of all time. Just that a bespectacled and modest man from the deep forests of Värmland once had the honourable task of leading the English national team is a fairytale in itself! Like Jurgen Klopp, who has his origins in the deep Black Forest of Germany.
“Come on LFC, make it happen!”
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The campaign emerged on social media, following the Swede’s announcement, with Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler posting on X that the ‘call’s gone in’ to get Sven to Anfield.
Dan from RedmenTV told BBC Radio Merseyside: “The campaign shows how football fans can unite in times of hardship. Supporters often come together to make people’s dreams come true.
“The legends days are brilliant days. They make a lot of money for good causes. I’d absolutely love to see it happen.”
Liverpool Legends take on Ajax Legends at Anfield on the 23rd of March, with it yet to be confirmed as of yet whether Eriksson will take charge of the Reds’ side.
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Following the devastating news of his diagnosis, getting Sven to Anfield to take charge of the Legends game is a must and one I’m sure is being worked on behind the scenes. With King Kenny and Ian Rush currently taking the dugout, there’s no doubt they’d be more than happy to welcome Eriksson to sit alongside them and give him the special day he deserves.
