(ANSA) - ROME, AUG 26 - Lazio on Monday led tributes to
Sven-Giran Eriksson after the great Swedish coach who led them
to their historic second scudetto in 2000 died of cancer at 76.
President Claudio Lotito said Eriksson was a "lovely man and
Lazio won't forget him.
"He wasn't just the most successful coach in Lazio's history but
he was above all a man of huge integrity and a lovely and
gentlemanly person, who combined those gifts with a typical
Nordic aplomb.
"His courage in facing the illness that struck him was an
example and teaching for anyone who heard him.
"In the interviews he gave in the last months he succeeded in
infusing love fro life and football.
"I remember him at Rome's Stadio Olimpico, excited like a kid,
on his return to the capital, when we spoke at length: I was
struck by his serenity, and we gave each other a strong hug.
"I saw him walk towards the sideline, slowly going round the
stadium.
"All our Lazio people, as he passed by, shouted out phrases of
thanks and affection, an almost palpable emotion, with tears
streaming down their faces, and he responded to their chants
with the strength of his smile.
"I'd like to hug him again, to whisper in his ear that Lazio
will never forget him.
"I send emotional condolences to his family, football and the
world have lost a great man".
Lazio and Italy defensive legend Alessandro Nesta said Eriksson
was an "extraordinary person and I will always keep you in my
heart".
"Thanks for everything" said the skipper of that great
Biancocelesti team that also featured Roberto Mancini, Pavel
Nedved, Fabrizio Ravanelli, Diego Simeone, Sinisa Mihajlovic,
Juan Sebastian Veron, Dejan Stankovic, Attilio Lombardi, Sérgio
Conceição, Marcelo Salas, Fernando Couto, Matias Almeyda, Luca
Marchegiani and Alen Boksic.
Lazio's cross-city rivals Roma voiced condolences to the family
of the manager who led them from 1984 to 87, winning an Italian
Cup in 1986.
"Rome mourns the passing of Sven-Goran Eriksson, He led the
Giallorossi from 1984 to 1987, winning an Italian Cup.
"Our thoughts go out to his family in this time of grief," said
the Roman club.
Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri said the whole of Rome is paying
tribute to Eriksson.
"All of sporting Rome pays homage to Sven-Goran Eriksson, a very
great coach who left an indelible mark in the history of world
and Roman football, in particular leading Lazio to the
scudetto," said the first citizen of the Italian capital.
"His living with an implacable tumour that had struck him was an
example of dignity, love and courage which moved the whole
world".
Eriksson announced that he had terminal cancer in January and
had "at most a year to live".
Sampdoria also remembered its former coach as a "gentleman".
In a message published on its website, the team said: "The first
word that springs to mind when we think about him is dignity".
Eriksson, who coached Samdoria for five seasons, starting in
1992, battled cancer "with courage and composure", showing
"human dignity", said Sampdoria's statement, recalling how it
had invited Eriksson on May 5 for a great celebration with fans
and many of his former players.
"Sven leaves us unforgettable emotions, memories and especially
a great moral inheritance" as football's "gentleman", the
statement noted.
Eriksson led Samp to the Coppa Italia in 1994.
Eriksson's fourth Italian club, Fiorentina, also remembered him.
"Fiorentina joins the family in mourning the passing of Sven
Göran Eriksson.
"The Swedish coach held the role of Viola technical director
from 1987 to 1989," it said.
Outside of the footballing world, Premier Giorgia Meloni said
Eriksson had left an indelible mark on football.
The Italian premier, who is not known to support any football
club, quoted Eriksson's words in announcing his incurable cancer
in January: "I hope you will remember me as a positive guy who
tried to do everything possible. Don't be sorry, smile. Thank
you for everything, coaches, players, the public, it was great.
Take care of yourselves and take care of your life. And live
it."
She said: "He has left an indelible mark on the world of
football, leading in his long career also the benches of Roma,
Fiorentina, Sampdoria and Lazio, with which he won a historic
Scudetto'.
In his long career, in which he also hit the gossip pages with
his glamorous partner Nancy Dell'Olio and relationships with TV
personality Ulrika Jonsson and Football Association secretary
Faria Alam, the Swede also managed England (its first foreign
coach), Mexico, Ivory Coast, Göteborg, Benfica, Manchester City,
Leicester City, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Shenzhen and most recently
the Philippines.
Liverpool recently made him honorary manager for a day,
fulfilling a dream. (ANSA).
Lazio lead tributes to Eriksson
'Lovely man, we'll never forget him' says Lotito