LIVERPOOL: Sven-Goran Eriksson said he had fulfilled a life-long dream by managing Liverpool Legends in a charity match against Ajax Legends at Anfield on Saturday.
The 76-year-old former England boss revealed in January he had “best case a year” to live after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
At the time the Swede, whose long career in club management included spells in charge of Manchester City and Lazio, revealed his lifelong love for Liverpool and how he had always wished to be manager of the club one day.
His dream became a reality on Saturday as Eriksson, alongside former Liverpool favorites Ian Rush, John Barnes and John Aldridge in the home dug-out, helped oversee a 4-2 win.
Eriksson said afterwards he had shed tears before kick-off, when he received a standing ovation from the crowd as he walked out onto the pitch, with fans singing the Liverpool anthem of ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’.
“That will be a huge memory in life,” said Eriksson. “Absolutely beautiful.
“To sit on the bench for Liverpool, that’s been my dream my whole life. Now it happened, and it was a beautiful day in all meanings.
“The crowd, the game, the players, everything, fantastic, and thank you to Liverpool for giving me this opportunity, to invite me for such an important game — it’s not points but the importance of the game is incredible.
“It was full of emotions, tears coming. It’s been my dream club all my life — even when I had England, I also supported Liverpool, but I couldn’t say it at that time.
“It’s a good finish, to finish with Liverpool, it can’t be much better than that,” added Eriksson, who guided England to the quarter-finals of the 2002 and 2006 World Cups.
Liverpool were 2-0 down at half-time on Saturday before Kop-end goals from Gregory Vignal, Djibril Cisse, Nabil El Zhar and Fernando Torres turned the match in their favor.
The Reds were captained by Steven Gerrard, who played under Eriksson for England. “He (Gerrard) is the boss out there — of course (he still has it)!,” said Eriksson.
Eriksson fulfils lifelong dream by managing Liverpool in charity game
https://arab.news/4vksk
Eriksson fulfils lifelong dream by managing Liverpool in charity game
- The Swede revealed his lifelong love for Liverpool and how he had always wished to be manager of the club one day
- His dream became a reality on Saturday as Eriksson, alongside former Liverpool favorites Ian Rush, John Barnes and John Aldridge in the home dug-out, helped oversee a 4-2 win
Football star Neymar says he may retire by end of 2026
- Brazil striker extended his contract with his childhood club Santos last month
- Neymar remains doubtful for participation at the World Cup this year
Brazil striker Neymar, who extended his contract with his childhood club Santos last month, said that he may retire by the end of the year.
The 34-year-old forward returned to his boyhood club Santos in January 2025 and played a key role in their survival in the Brazilian top flight, scoring five times in their last five matches.
But Neymar, who has struggled with injuries in recent seasons, remains doubtful for participation at the World Cup this year.
“I don’t know what will happen from now on, I don’t know about next year,” he told Brazilian online channel Caze on Friday.
“It may be that when December comes, I’ll want to retire. I’m living year to year now.”
“This year is a very important year, not only for Santos, but also for the Brazilian national team, as it’s a World Cup year, and for me too,” Neymar said.
Neymar, who recently underwent successful knee surgery, has scored 79 goals for Brazil, the highest by any player, but he has not featured for the national side since October 2023.
Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti has made it clear over the past year that he will only include players who are fully fit for the World Cup, scheduled to take place from June 11 to July 19 in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
