David Beckham was among the mourners at Fryksande church in the Swedish town of Torsby on Friday for the funeral of former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson.
Captain of the team during Eriksson’s spell in charge between 2001 and 2006, Beckham was joined by Eriksson’s former partner Nancy Dell’Olio, with whom the Swede was in a relationship during his time with England.
The church service, which included sung renditions of Elton John’s Candle in the Wind and Frank Sinatra’s My Way accompanied on piano, began at just after 10am local time and lasted around an hour.
Tribute was paid to a love of routine and discipline shown by Eriksson, who led England to three major tournament quarter-finals shortly after securing Lazio their first Serie A title in 26 years, alluding to the fact he was never late and that he frequently chose to wear a suit as a teenager.
It was also recounted how, as a child, he would post a sign on his bedroom door saying “no entry – homework in progress”, when he would in fact be on his bed reading detective novels.
There was reference too to his realisation of a lifelong dream in the final months of his life to manage Liverpool, which he did in a charity match in March when he took charge of a “legends” side at Anfield. His granddaughter accompanied him onto the pitch at the game.
His love for Liverpool was commemorated by a local brass band playing You’ll Never Walk Alone as the hearse made its way out of the grounds following the ceremony.
Eriksson’s coffin arrived at Fryksande church at around 7am local time on Friday morning, long before the arrival of any of the guests.
A single bell tolled as his body was carried into the church.
Members of Sweden’s royal family were in attendance, as was
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