Liverpool fans have called on the club to enable terminally ill Sven-Goran Eriksson to realise his unfilled wish of managing the team.
The former England manager, who has pancreatic cancer with about a year left to live at the “best case”, told Sky News’ Niall Paterson of his footballing regret at never having taken the helm at Anfield.
Eriksson, like his father, has been a lifelong supporter of the Merseyside club.
In response to the poignant interview, supporters have backed the idea of the 75-year-old managing the LFC Legends side in a charity home match against Ajax in March.
The annual fixture raises funds for the LFC Foundation, which supports children and young people.
The suggestion was made by football YouTuber and LFC fan Douglas Horne, who posted on X: “Let’s get Sven to manage the Liverpool legends v Ajax one last dream for him.”
John Gibbons, a host of the award-winning Anfield Wrap podcast, told Sky News: “I think people would think it a lovely thing.
“He’s a popular fella.
“People like Sven.”
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It also prompted an outpouring of support on social media.
Steve said: “LFC let’s make this happen. To make a dying man’s wish has Liverpool’s name written all over it.”
Kristian Andersson said: “Let’s all together show the true meaning of #YNWA and make Sven’s dream come true, by having him as the #LFC manager in the legends game against Ajax!”
Football coach Paul Purse wrote: “As many have suggested, manager for the legends game would be a class touch @LFC.”
Lifelong Red Dan Mathews said: “It will get done. It’s what we do. It’s why we’re different Sven will get his wish I’m sure.”
The 75-year-old is a lifelong Liverpool fan. Pic: AP
Speaking in his Sky News interview, Eriksson said: “My father is still a Liverpool supporter and I am a Liverpool supporter too, always have been.
“So I always wished to be the manager of Liverpool and that will not happen, but I’m still a Liverpool fan.”
Since revealing his terminal cancer diagnosis on Thursday, he said he had received “a lot of messages and phone calls” from former colleagues and players he coached, including from his days as England boss.
Between 2001 and 2006, Eriksson coached the so-called “golden generation” of footballers in the England team including Beckham, Steven Gerrard, Rooney and Frank Lampard.
While that squad did not manage to reach a major final, Eriksson believes the current crop is a “good team” and can win Euro 2024.
