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Sven-Göran Eriksson doubted so much whether England could ever have a foreign manager that he considered an initial approach a joke. 

Intrigued eventually by the ground-breaking opportunity, rather than being deterred by the indignation, the Swede would launch the Three Lions into five of the most frenzied years in their history.

Everything belied his suave demeanour – from allowing a celebrity culture to consume the team to being an unlikely headline-making lothario himself and, even, showing passion while delivering results for his adopted country.

It was a blessing and burden to inherit a Golden Generation of talent of David Beckham, Wayne Rooney and co – captivating the country with dazzling one-off displays but unable to deliver when it mattered most under the weight of expectation and pressure.

It is the failure to overcome the constant quarter-final barrier and lift a trophy that shaped Eriksson’s England legacy where football too often seemed secondary.

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Former England manager dies
Updates as royal leads tributes to Swede

England World Cup team head coach Sven Goran Eriksson signs his autograph on a football game table prior to a press conference near Seogwipo on the South Korean island of Jeju Wednesday, May 22, 2002. England will play with Sweden, Argentina, and Nigeria in Group F at the FIFA 2002 World Cup in Japan. (AP photo/Adam Butler)
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Eriksson at the 2002 World Cup. Pic: AP

But the Eriksson era did provide a mirror to the nation at the start of the new millennium.

How the public’s ravenous appetite to gaze into the private lives of the stars – and the legalities of intrusive tabloid reporting – was stretched to extremes, and only unearthed years later.

How patriotism could seem parochial or xenophobic – just as the Premier League was the platform for England opening up to the world.

File photo dated 16-04-2002 of Sven Goran Eriksson and Michael Owen. Former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson has died at the age of 76. Issue date: Monday August 26, 2024.
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Eriksson and striker Michael Owen in 2002. Pic: PA


For a coach arriving after league and cup wins with Lazio, it proved perplexing that his suitability focused on his nationality over coaching credentials.

“We’ve sold our birthright down the fjord to a nation of seven million skiers and hammer throwers who spend half their lives in darkness.”

The Daily Mail headline set the tone for his introductory news conference.

Lazio coach,Sven Goran-Eriksson, is thrown up into the air by his team during the official party to celebrate Lazio winning Italy's soccer championship at Rome's Olympic stadium
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Eriksson is thrown up into the air by his team during the official party to celebrate Lazio winning Italy’s football championship. Pic: Reuters

Sven-Goran Eriksson before the match.
Pic Reuters
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Sven-Goran Eriksson in 2019. Pic: Reuters

He did try to sing God Save The Queen, feeling emotional as he realised the national standing he quickly assumed from 2001.

And doubters – some at least – were won over spectacularly on the turf of England’s greatest rival.

A 5-1 humiliation of Germany in Munich was followed a month later by another iconic moment of Eriksson’s reign – Beckham’s free kick that sealed a spot at the 2002 World Cup.

File photo dated 19-11-2002 of Queen Elizabeth II meeting Sven-Goran Eriksson. Former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson has died at the age of 76. Issue date: Monday August 26, 2024.
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Queen Elizabeth II meeting Eriksson. Pic: PA

But the highs came in qualifying, falling short – always at the quarter-finals stage – in his three tournaments.

Too often it seemed more about fame than football around this England generation.

The high – or low – point of that came at his second and final World Cup in 2006.

Sven-Goran Eriksson at the 2006 World Cup with England. Pic: PA
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Sven-Goran Eriksson at the 2006 World Cup with England. Pic: PA

As if managing Beckham, Rooney, Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard wasn’t challenging enough, this was the era of the WAGs.

The celebrity circus around the Baden-Baden team base in Germany saw the players’ wives and girlfriends indulging in the media attention.

The insatiable appetite for a trophy matched the front page fodder the team – and their manager – provided.

England football manager Sven-Goran Eriksson and his partner Nancy Dell'Olio.
Pic: PA
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England football manager Sven-Goran Eriksson and his then partner Nancy Dell’Olio in 2006. Pic: PA

Eriksson wanted to enjoy life but his privacy was exploited by the dark arts of tabloids.

Intimate details of affairs that the papers had a role in playing matchmaker to.

“I met Ulrika Jonsson on 8 December 2001, at some party hosted by the Daily Express, or maybe it was the Daily Star,” he recalled.

“The FA wanted me to travel around to various newspapers to be courteous and meet the editors. I visited the News Of The World too.”

File photo dated 18-05-2002 of David Beckham and Sven-Goran Eriksson. Former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson has died at the age of 76. Issue date: Monday August 26, 2024.
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David Beckham and Eriksson. Pic: PA

It was the paper – closed in scandal by Rupert Murdoch in 2011 – he would blame for ending his England reign.

The notorious ‘fake sheikh’ had been used to trap him in a fictitious approach by Aston Villa ahead of the 2006 World Cup.

“I was extremely disappointed because I was sacked because of that,” Eriksson said. “I never accepted or understood that the News Of The World is so important… because I told the people at the FA – you believe in them or me.”

England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson comments on tomorrow's friendly soccer match between England and Denmark to be played in Copenhagen during a press conference at the national football stadium in Copenhagen, Denmark, Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2005. (AP Photo/ Kim Nielsen/POLFOTO)DENMARK OUT
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Pic: AP

Who he could believe and trust was called into question by what he only later discovered was phone hacking.

Voicemail interceptions were linked to being behind the Daily Mirror’s revelation of his relationship with TV presenter Jonsson – another Swede who made it big in Britain.

“I think the football media was rather good. Sometimes they tried to kill me,” he said. “The other part of the media, that was a little bit of a surprise for me, because I wasn’t used to that.”

But he was never bitter – returning to English football to manage Manchester City just before the influx of Abu Dhabi wealth, dropping into the fourth division during a bizarre, brief spell as Notts County’s director of football and taking on a second-tier job at Leicester.

File photo dated 26-07-2007 of Sven-Goran Eriksson with Martin Petrov and Geovanni. Former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson has died at the age of 76. Issue date: Monday August 26, 2024.
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Eriksson in 2007 as Man City boss. Pic: PA

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The breadth of managerial roles after England – at three Chinese clubs, and the Mexico, Ivory Coast and Philippines national teams – showed Eriksson was happiest in the dugout.

“As a player I was not good at all,” he recalled. “I was not good enough to play first division in Sweden well, so the best decision I ever took in my professional career was when Tord Grip came to me and said, ‘It’s better you stop playing and be my assistant coach.’

“And that was when I was 27. So I had much better luck as a coach than a player for sure.”

Swedish coach Sven-Goran Eriksson poses for photos during his first training session for Chinese Super League club Guangzhou in 2013.
Pic AP
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Eriksson poses for photos during his first training session for Chinese Super League club Guangzhou in 2013. Pic: AP

The affection following Eriksson revealing his cancer diagnosis in January 2024 even allowed an emotional farewell to English football at Anfield by fulfilling a wish to manage Liverpool, as revealed on Sky News.

And assessments of his England reign seem more dispassionate as the trophy drought has gone on.

His immediate successor – Steve McClaren – didn’t qualify for Euro 2008 – and it took 12 years for an England men’s manager to win a knockout game.

File photo dated 01-07-2006 of Sven-Goran Eriksson after defeat at the 2006 World Cup. Former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson has died at the age of 76. Issue date: Monday August 26, 2024.
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Eriksson after defeat at the 2006 World Cup. Pic: PA


But in his dying days, Eriksson was still thinking back to the 2006 World Cup.

“We should have done better,” he said. “So the criticism I and the team took after that tournament I think was fair.”

But what he could still never accept was why some questioned his right to ever have the job.

England's Wayne Rooney (R) talks to manager Sven-Goran Eriksson.
Pic: Reuters
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England’s Wayne Rooney (R) talks to manager Sven-Goran Eriksson in 2006. Pic: Reuters

And while breaking new ground by becoming England’s first foreign manager, the nationality debate endures whenever an FA appointment is needed.

“There were people who did not like I was not English,” he lamented in retirement.

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Israel had ‘no choice’ but to attack Iran because it was ‘rushing’ to nuclear bomb, president Isaac Herzog claims

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Israel had 'no choice' but to attack Iran because it was 'rushing' to nuclear bomb, president Isaac Herzog claims

Israel had “no other choice” but to attack Iran because it was proceeding “dramatically” towards a nuclear bomb, Israeli President Isaac Herzog has claimed.

Speaking to Sky News’ Yalda Hakim, he said Iran was “rushing” to the bomb “under disguise”.

He also suggested the Israeli war cabinet was discussing Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, amid reports that President Donald Trump vetoed a plan to kill him.

It comes as Israel and Iran continue to fire missiles at each other after Israel launched an unprecedented strike on Iran’s nuclear and military capabilities.

Tehran has long denied that its nuclear program has been attempting to obtain a nuclear weapon.

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Sky’s Yalda Hakim interrupted by air raid sirens

Mr Herzog was asked why Israel attacked Iran when it did.

“When you take such decisions of historic magnitude and proportions, you have to analyse all facets and all facts,” he replied.

“The truth of the matter is there was no other choice.”

Isaac Herzog speaks to Yalda Hakim
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Isaac Herzog speaks to Yalda Hakim

He claimed Iran was proceeding “dramatically” towards the bomb, both in terms of the enrichment of uranium and, “clandestinely”, the armament part of the process.

“I’ve always been very crystal clear with regards to a nuclear capability of our enemies – it has to be removed at once.”

Mr Herzog added: “We have to remove the Iranian nuclear program because we see the negotiating process as being futile because they are lying whilst talking to us.

“They are lying whilst talking to the United States and other allies.”

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Iran ambassador: ‘This is about self-defence’

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Iran’s ambassador to UK speaks to Sky News
UK advises against all travel to Israel

He was questioned whether the strikes on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure could provoke a response that causes a mass casualty event in Israel.

“(We are) very much aware of the risks of this war,” he replied. “Every night there are missile attacks, heavy missile attacks on Israel.

“We have our air defence systems, which are excellent.

“Unfortunately, we have casualties. Brothers and sisters of ours from toddlers all the way up to the age of 94.”

He continued: “No, we don’t accept it at all… That’s why we are fighting also, to eliminate their capability of firing at us.”

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He also suggested the Israeli war cabinet was discussing Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, after reports Mr Trump vetoed an Israeli plan to kill him.

“Let’s just remember that the Supreme Leader of Iran has for years called for the annihilation of Israel.”

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Iran’s response to Israeli strikes a ‘matter of principle’, ambassador to UK says

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Iran's response to Israeli strikes a 'matter of principle', ambassador to UK says

Iran’s response to Israeli attacks on its nuclear facilities is “self-defence” and a “matter of principle”, the Iranian ambassador to the UK has told Sky News.

Speaking exclusively to The World With Yalda Hakim, Seyed Ali Mousavi said the “barbaric Israeli regime” is “violating international law” – describing Israel’s actions in recent days as “an act of aggression against the Iranian people”.

The conflict between Israel and Iran – once played out in a series of proxy wars – has escalated in the past three days.

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Sky's Yalda Hakim spoke to Iran's ambassador to the UK, Seyed Ali Mousavi.
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Sky’s Yalda Hakim spoke to Iran’s ambassador to the UK, Seyed Ali Mousavi

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Israel-Iran: How the conflict escalated

On Friday morning, explosions hit Tehran as Israel carried out a major attack on its top army leaders, nuclear sites, and nuclear scientists.

Iran threatened “severe punishment” and quickly retaliated with a wave of missiles.

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Missile aftermath in Israel

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Israeli missile hits warehouse in Iranian city

When questioned about whether Iran could continue fighting Israel, the Iranian ambassador told Yalda Hakim that “it is a matter of principle”.

He said: “This is about self-defence, there is no doubt about it.

“We are a responsible member state of the UN and we do all activities according to our international obligations.

“Any activities are only in the framework of self-defence.”

Damage from an Iranian missile attack to a building in Bat Yam, Israel. Pic: Reuters
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Damage from an Iranian missile attack to a building in Bat Yam, Israel. Pic: Reuters

Explosions over Jerusalem
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Explosions over Jerusalem on Sunday

He added that his country would “do our best to preserve our territorial integrity”, and that “with the help of God”, Iran will “materialise endeavours concretely against our enemy – the Israeli regime”.

Mr Mousavi also told Hakim that Iran’s nuclear activities are “monitored”, and that recent comments by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) were “politically motivated”.

Read more here:
How conflict between Israel and Iran unfolded
UK advises against all travel to Israel
Explosions over Jerusalem as missiles ‘detected’ by IDF

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Missiles have also been seen over Tel Aviv

The UN nuclear watchdog’s board of governors found Iran was not complying with its nuclear obligations for the first time in 20 years.

Iran said it has “always adhered” to the safeguarding obligations laid down by the watchdog.

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Iranian ambassador reacts to strikes – full interview

Announcing Operation Rising Lion on Friday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed Iran had recently taken steps to weaponise enriched uranium, which could be used to make nuclear weapons.

But Mr Mousavi stressed that Iran’s “peaceful activities” at its “nuclear fields” were only for the “generation of electricity, and other peaceful” things.

Iran was due to continue its round of negotiations with the US in Muscat – however, this was cancelled, given recent tensions.

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UK government advises against all travel to Israel

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UK government advises against all travel to Israel

The government is warning people not to travel to Israel under any circumstances, as the country’s missile exchange with Iran shows no sign of abating.

On Friday, the Foreign Office warned against “all but essential travel” to most of Israel.

The areas around Gaza, the West Bank and the Golan Heights were already classed as red zones, with warnings to avoid travel to these areas.

But the government has now updated the warning for the remainder of the country to red.

Follow live: Tehran and Israel exchange strikes

This puts Israel on the same level as Iran, and the change of advice is also likely to impact travel insurance.

However, with Israel’s airspace closed, it is unlikely many people will be attempting the journey, and Israel’s national airline El Al has announced it is cancelling flights to and from many European cities, as well as Tokyo and Moscow, until 23 June.

The change in travel advice comes after a second night of ballistic missile barrages from Iran following Israel’s attack in the early hours of Friday morning.

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An eight-storey residential building in Tel Aviv was hit by a missile last night.

On Sunday morning, Israel’s health ministry said 12 people had been killed over the past day, taking the total since Friday to 15. It also said 385 people had arrived at hospital with injuries overnight.

Iran has not provided a total number of deaths or overall casualties, but has claimed dozens have been killed.

Iran’s health minister has said most of those injured and killed in Israeli strikes were civilians. According to comments carried by news agency IRNA, he said the majority were women and children.

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The chancellor said UK forces could “potentially” be used to help defend Israel.

Read more:
UK military could ‘potentially’ be used to defend Israel
Nuclear threat wasn’t the only reason Israel attacked Iran
What are Iran’s military capabilities

What is the UK doing?

The UK government is sending military assets, including fighter jets, to the Middle East.

While the prime minister would not confirm to reporters that UK forces could be used to defend Israel from future Iranian attacks, the chancellor told Sky News earlier that the government is “not ruling anything out”.

Speaking to Sky’s Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips, Rachel Reeves said sending military assets to the Middle East “does not mean that we are at war”, and emphasised that “we have not been involved in these strikes or this conflict”.

“But we do have important assets in the region,” she continued. “And it is right that we send jets to protect them. And that’s what we’ve done. It’s a precautionary move, and at the same time, we are urging de-escalation.”

Pushed on the question of what the UK would do if Israel asked for support with its operations, the chancellor replied: “I’m not going to rule anything out at this stage. It’s a fast-moving situation, a very volatile situation. But we don’t want to see escalation.”

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