Former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksssen has died at the age of 76.
Lifelong Liverpool supporter Erikssen enjoyed spells with Manchester City. Lazio and Benfica during a career which spanned more than four decades.
The Swede announced in January that he had been diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer and had around a year of his life remaining as a result.
He passed away peacefully at his home in Bjorkefors surrounded by family.
“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,” read a statement from his children Lina and Johan.
“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. 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 Svennis as the good and positive person he always was both in public and at home with us.”
Prior to his death, Eriksson was able to realise a lifetime ambition by taking charge of the Reds in March’s LFC Foundation charity match against Ajax.
He oversaw a 4-2 victory in front of a sell-out crowd at Anfield, prior to which he admitted an opportunity to take the reins had briefly been a prospect.
“When I was manager, I always dreamt about Liverpool but it never happened,” he said at the time.
“It was close once. There were some discussions once. It was many years ago. It never happened but now it happens.
“When they asked [for the legends game], I thought it was a joke. I said, ‘Of course I will come to that.’
“It’s a charity game, which makes it even more lovely. It will be great to see.
“I think it must be the best atmosphere in the world in all the football stadiums I’ve been to.
“Part of that is the song when the players come out, You’ll Never Walk Alone.
“That makes me like this [rubs arm] even today and I’ve seen it live so many times and on television. The atmosphere is incredible.”