He passed away Sven Goran Erikson - a football legend and a gentleman who, even in the most difficult battles during the last months, made his departure as easy as possible for everyone.
Much has been written about the phenomenal football expert since January when he announced that he had a tumor and about 12 months left to live, but one story told as far back as 2012, now that the famous Swede is no longer with us, best describes what he was like Erickson.
The story appeared in the book "The Didi Man", an autobiography Ditmara Hamana - the former midfielder of Bayern, Liverpool, Manchester City, the German national team...
Everything happened in 2008 when Eriksson led City, Didi Haman as an already very experienced player defended the colors of the "citizens", and the club from the north of England was on tour in Thailand.
- One morning I was resting on a lounger by the pool when I saw Sven walking towards me with a silver tray, a bottle of champagne and two glasses on it - Haman began describing the events from Southeast Asia.
The former German footballer emphasizes that it was only 10 o'clock in the morning.
- Sven came over and put the champagne on the table next to me, and then one glass in front of me, the other next to his lounge chair. I looked up and said to him: "Boss, what are we celebrating". He turned to me, smiled that gentle smile of his, took on the appearance of a Buddhist philosopher and answered me: "Life, Kaiser (German word for emperor)". Then, with a dramatic pause, he added: "You and I celebrate... life" - Haman wrote 12 years ago and even then described Erikson in the most beautiful way.
The man who left a huge mark as the coach of Gothenburg, Benfica, Lazio, who led a great generation of the England national team, celebrated his life even when he learned that his end was near.
Thus, in the last few months, he watched matches and was a guest of his Benfica and Lazio teams, and he also fulfilled the only football wish he had left - as a coach at the crowded "Anfield" he led Liverpool (in the match of legends), the club he always supported , but he didn't have the chance to become his coach before.
Finally, his last public words will be remembered in the film made by "Amazon".
- I hope you will remember me as a positive guy who tried to do everything he could and don't cry, smile... Take care of yourself and take care of your life. And live it - said Erikson, who died yesterday at the age of 77.
A legend who celebrated and lived life - Sven Goran Erikson.
Bonus video: