Last week, Sven-Göran Eriksson revealed that he has terminal cancer and that doctors have told him that he has a “year at best” to live. The former England manager admitted that the news came as a “shock” to him but that he wasn't giving up on life just yet.
The Swedish manager, who took charge of a whole host of clubs including Manchester City and Leicester City during his career, admitted recently that it had always been his “dream” to manage Liverpool, but the opportunity never materialised. However, in light of his cancer announcement, Liverpool fans have thought of a way to allow him to live out his dream in the coming months.
Online Reds' fans took to social media platform, X, last week to urge the club to offer Eriksson the chance to manage Liverpool in a Legends charity match in March. Liverpool Legends are set to face Ajax Legends at Anfield in two months and the Liverpool faithful want life-long supporter, Sven, to lead the team.
One fan said: “Let's get Sven to manage the Liverpool legends v Ajax. One last dream for him.” Meanwhile, another said “Let’s all together show the true meaning of You'll Never Walk Alone and make Sven's dream come true, by having him as the Liverpool manager in the Legends game against Ajax. Please, fulfil his wish. We’re all with you, Sven – stay strong!”
Sven responds to Liverpool fans
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In an interview with Good Morning Britain last Monday, Eriksson was asked about the possibility of managing Liverpool in the match against Ajax Legends and he didn't hide the fact that he would be delighted to do it. The 75-year-old said:
“I’m invited to see that game and that would be great because there will be a lot of great footballers there but I should be their manager? No, I’ve never heard that. I would accept of course! That’s always been my dream but like a dream, I’m not complaining, I’ve had a lot of good football teams – national teams and the clubs so I’m happy.”
With Erikkson confirming that he would accept the offer should it come his way, Liverpool fans are only likely to increase their efforts online to make it possible. Kenny Dalglish took charge of Liverpool Legends last time they played – against Celtic Legends in March 2023 – and he would surely have no objection to Erikkson taking over for the match against Ajax.
Jurgen Klopp gives his blessing
With the movement gaining momentum, Jurgen Klopp has had his say on the idea on Eriksson taking charge of Liverpool for a match in March. Going one step further, the German suggested that the former England boss would be welcome to replace him as first-team manager for a day. Klopp said:
“He’s very welcome to come here and he can sit in my seat in my office and do my job for a day if he wants. He can come and have a few wonderful hours I’m sure.”
Sven-Göran Eriksson refuses to “sit down crying”
Elsewhere in the interview with Good Morning Britain last week, the former England boss spoke candidly about his Pancreatic Cancer diagnosis and how he's been dealing with it. Given doctors believe he only has a maximum of a year left to live, the Swede is refusing to waste any time. He told the presenters:
“You have to work with it, and don't think about it 24 hours a day and don't sit at home and do nothing, live your life as normal as possible as long as you can. I refuse to give up, I want to live every day a normal life.
“I can't run a marathon but I can go to the gym, I can do exercise as I always did, I can have visitors here in the house. I want to live normally. The aim for the rest of my life is to wake up in the morning and feel okay and most of the morning I feel okay, its not good but its as good as it can be. I'm not complaining but I refuse to sit down crying, feeling sorry for myself.”