Sven-Goran Eriksson to fulfil Liverpool manager dream at charity game after ex-England boss' cancer diagnosis

Sven-Goran Eriksson to fulfil Liverpool manager dream at charity game after ex-England boss' cancer diagnosis

WATCH NOW: Sports round-up as Sven-Goran Eriksson to manage Liverpool at charity game

Lewis Winter

By Lewis Winter


Published: 13/02/2024

- 11:05

Updated: 13/02/2024

- 12:01

The Swede will be in the dugout at Anfield for a charity match

Sven-Goran Eriksson will fulfil a lifelong dream by managing Liverpool at a charity match next month.

The former England boss revealed last month he had terminal cancer and has been given 'at best a year to live'.


Eriksson said that he suddenly collapsed after a 5km run and the resulting tests confirmed that he had suffered a stroke and also had cancer.

The Swede managed England at three major tournaments between 2001 and 2006, as well as having spells in England with Manchester City and Leicester.

Sven-Goran Eriksson

Sven-Goran Eriksson is set to be part of the Liverpool management team in a charity match

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However, he revealed that he has been a Liverpool fan his whole life and wished he managed the Reds during his coaching career.

And it has been confirmed he will be handed that opportunity when Liverpool Legends play Ajax Legends at Anfield.

Liverpool announced on Tuesday that Eriksson will be part of the Reds' management team for the game on March 23.

Eriksson will be in the dugout alongside Liverpool legends Ian Rush, John Barnes and John Aldridge.

A statement from Liverpool says they are looking forward to welcoming Eriksson for the day.

It reads: "All connected with the club and LFC Foundation look forward to warmly welcoming LFC fan Sven and his family to Anfield - and seeing him in the dugout on the day - for a fantastic fundraising occasion."

Liverpool have also confirmed a handful of players who will be part of the hosts' team against Ajax.

Goalkeepers Jerzy Dudek and Sander Westerveld, defenders Martin Skrtel, Fabio Aurelio and Gregory Vignal and attackers Djibril Cisse and Ryan Babel will feature.

But the big news is the presence of Eriksson, in a match where all proceeds raised will support the work of the LFC Foundation and charity partners.

Eriksson was first asked about the prospect of managing the Liverpool Legends when speaking to ITV last month.

He had not been approached by the match organisers at the time but confirmed he would love the opportunity to do so.

Eriksson said: "No I didn't know about that. I knew that they had a charity game. In March I think it is. And me and my son are invited to see that game.

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Sven Goran Eriksson

Sven Goran Eriksson says he will live life to its fullest after his cancer diagnosis

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"That might be great and there will be a lot of good football players there.

"But that I should be their manager? No I've never heard that.

"I would of course [accept the offer]! That would be my dream. That's always been my dream.

"But like a dream, I'm not complaining. I had a lot of good football teams. National teams and the clubs. I'm happy."

Sven Goran Eriksson

Sven-Goran Eriksson will be in the Liverpool dugout for the charity game against Ajax

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Current Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, who will be leaving at the end of the season, also invited Eriksson to spend a day with him at the training ground.

Klopp said in January: "Sven, you are invited from the bottom of all our hearts to come here and you can have my office, you can lead a session if you want. That's all no problem.

"Open arms. Come over here and let's have a few great hours together."

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