MIRROR
Sven-Goran Eriksson will be supporting England at Euro 2024 and believes the Three Lions can pick up their maiden European title.
Eriksson, 75, was diagnosed with terminal cancer “almost one year ago” and revealed his devastating news earlier this week. The Swedish coach, who managed England between 2001 and 2006, says he has at “best” a year left to live.
Eriksson is hoping to watch England compete at Euro 2024, with the tournament taking place in Germany this summer. The former Manchester City and Leicester boss has confirmed he will be solely supporting Gareth Southgate’s side, as Sweden failed to qualify.
“England play very good football and Sweden have not qualified so I’ll be supporting them,” Eriksson told The Sun. “It would be great for me to be around to see them win. They have a very good team and it is not only 11 players or even 12 or 13 – they have many, many extremely good footballers so I think England, this time, can do it.”
England reached the final of Euro 2020, which was delayed by 12 months due to the Covid pandemic. Italy defeated the Three Lions in a penalty shootout at Wembley to clinch the trophy, ending the nation’s dream of first major international honour since 1966.
Eriksson believes captain Harry Kane and Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham will play a crucial role in England’s Euros campaign. On Bellingham, the Swede added: “I wish he had been at my disposal. I would have found a place for him, for sure.”
Eriksson was in charge of England’s so-called ‘Golden Generation’ and had the likes of David Beckham, Rio Ferdinand, Michael Owen, Paul Scholes, John Terry, Ashley Cole, Gary Neville, Frank Lampard, Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard at his disposal.
Yet Eriksson’s glittering team failed to get over the line in major tournaments, losing in the quarter-finals of three consecutive events. Brazil knocked them out of the 2002 World Cup, while Portugal got the better of them at Euro 2004 and the 2006 World Cup.
