the world of football is mour the loss of Sven guran Ericson a legendary figure who passed away on Monday at the age of 76 his Representatives confirmed the sad news stating sen Garen Ericson has passed away after a long illness sge died during the morning at home surrounded by Family the Swedish football icon affectionately known as sphenis left an indelible mark on the sport particularly during his tenure as the manager of the England national team where he led the country's so-called golden generation Erikson's passing comes after a courageous battle with terminal cancer a diagnosis he publicly revealed in January 2024 at that time Ericson shared the heartbreaking news that he had about a year to live prompting an outpouring of support and well-wishes from former colleagues players and fans around the world the global football community rallied around the Beloved coach who had touched so many lives throughout his illustrious career a courageous battle in his announcement earlier this year Ericson disclosed that he was battling pancreatic cancer one of the most aggressive forms of the disease despite the Grim prognosis Erikson faced his illness with the same determination and resolve that had defined his career speaking to Swedish radio station P1 he candidly admitted every everyone can see that I have a disease that's not good and everyone supposes that it's cancer and it is but I have to fight it as long as possible these words encapsulated the fighting Spirit of a man who never backed down from a challenge whether on the football pitch or in his personal life Ericson's diagnosis was met with an overwhelming response from the football Community friends former players and fans from across Europe and Beyond reached out to offer their support many football clubs that Erikson had previously managed including teams in England Italy Portugal and Sweden extended invitations for him to visit allowing him to reconnect with the sport and the people who had been such a significant part of his life these visits were deeply meaningful to Ericson and his family offering a chance to reminisce and share the love of football One Last Time family and Legacy Sven Garen Ericson is survived by his two children Johan and Lena whom he shared with his ex-wife and Christine Pon and his partner yanis Seth Del Carman Bravo Mendoza in the wake of his passing Johan and Lena released a heartfelt statement paying tribute to their father they wrote dad told us at the beginning of this year about his serious illness and received an amazing response from friends and football fans around Europe he was invited to several football teams in England Italy Portugal and Sweden they shared their love for football and for Dad it was Unforgettable for both him and us the statement continued he expressed his appreciation and joy and stated that such beautiful words are usually only uttered when someone has died we have shared his gratitude and got to experience the wonderful meetings between him football and all his friends we thank everyone for these positive memories and your support during his illness we hope that you will remember spenis as the good and positive person he always was both in public and at home with us these words from his children reflect the deep love and respect that Ericson commanded not just as a football manager but as a father and a human being his legacy they hoped would be remembered not just for his achievements on the pitch but for the kindness and positivity he brought to those around him a historic career Sven Garen Erikson's career in football is nothing short of legendary best known for his time as the head coach of the England national team Erikson became the first non- Englishman to secure the prestigious role his appointment in 2000 and one marked a significant moment in English football as it represented a shift towards embracing foreign expertise in a sport deeply rooted in National tradition Erikson took charge of England during a period of great optimism and expectation managing a team that was later dubbed the golden generation this group of exceptionally talented players included Global Stars such as David Beckham Wayne Rooney Steven Gerard Frank Lambert and Rio Ferdinand under Erikson's guidance England reached the quarterfinals in two World Cups 2002 and 2006 and the European championship in 2004 although the team did not achieve the ultimate success of winning a major tournament Ericson's tenure is remembered for the high standards he set and a competitive Spirit he instilled in his players