Lazio on Monday paid tribute to their 1999-2000 scudetto winning coach Sven-Goran Eriksson who has died of cancer at the age of 76.
“Thank you for everything you did for us, mister,” the Roman club said on X. Eriksson was a “lovely man and Lazio won’t forget him,” Biancocelesti President Claudio Lotito said.
“He wasn’t just the most successful coach in Lazio’s history but he was above all a man of huge integrity and a lovely and gentlemanly person, who combined those gifts with a typical Nordic aplomb.”His courage in facing the illness that struck him was an example and lesson for anyone who heard him.
“In the interviews he gave in the last months he succeeded in infusing love for life and football.”I remember him at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico, excited like a kid, on his (recent) return to the capital, when we spoke at length: I was struck by his serenity, and we gave each other a strong hug.
“I saw him walk towards the sideline, slowly going round the stadium.”All our Lazio people, as he passed by, shouted out phrases of thanks and affection, an almost palpable emotion, with tears streaming down their faces, and he responded to their chants with the strength of his smile.
“I’d like to hug him again, to whisper in his ear that Lazio will never forget him.”I send emotional condolences to his family. Football and the world have lost a great man”.
Eriksson left Lazio later in 2000 to become England’s first overseas coach. The great Swedish manager also coached Roma, Sampdoria and Fiorentina.
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