When David Beckham met Sven-Göran Eriksson

The Manchester United icon opened up about his relationship with the Swedish Three Lions manager, who revealed his pancreatic cancer diagnosis in January 2024, saying he had about a year to live “at best”.

Beckham travelled to Sweden to see Eriksson for a private meeting this summer, with both men knowing they were saying goodbye after a friendship of more than 20 years.

Following Eriksson’s passing on 26th August, Beckham paid tribute to his old friend, describing him as a “true gentleman”.

David Beckham England captain

Beckham enjoyed major success at club level with Manchester United, signing in 1991 and making his debut with the first team at age 17 the following year.

Playing at the club until 2003, during a golden decade under Sir Alex Ferguson, he won six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, four Community Shields and the UEFA Champions League. However, he hadn’t fared as well playing for the national team, after making his debut for England in 1996 in a World Cup qualifying match versus Moldova.

Over the years, he gradually became “public enemy number one” after a series of incidents on the pitch. When David Beckham met Sven-Göran Eriksson as the new England football team manager in 2001, it revitalised his national career.

Playing in England’s qualifiers for the 1998 World Cup, Beckham was in the 23-strong squad who travelled to France for the finals. However, the then manager Glen Hoddle publicly criticised Beckham, claiming he lacked concentration.

After not starting in the first two games, he was chosen for the third against Colombia, when he scored a 30-yard free kick, contributing to the team’s 2-0 victory, but unfortunately, Beckham went from hero to zero very quickly, as he received a red card in the last 16 match against Argentina for kicking Diego Simeone, who had fouled him.

Although Simeone was criticised in the press for his theatrical fall, supporters turned on Beckham for retaliating after England were knocked out in the penalty shootout. Fans hung his effigy outside a pub in Croydon, the Daily Mirror newspaper printed a dartboard containing his photo and he even received death threats.

During Euro 2000, he was part of the England team which suffered a 3-2 defeat against Portugal. Beckham had set up both goals, but England supporters continued to taunt him. He responded by making an obscene gesture at them, attracting further criticism.

Hoddle’s successor, Kevin Keegan, resigned in November 2000. Caretaker manager Peter Taylor promoted Beckham to team captain.

In January 2001, Eriksson was appointed as the first foreign manager of the England squad in history. He had a long career in football, starting as a player for Swedish team Torsby at the age of 16 in 1964.

He began his managerial career in 1977, aged 29, with Swedish club Degerfors IF and over the next 24 years he managed top-flight clubs including Roma, Sampdoria, Fiorentina, Lazio and more before being invited to manage England.

David Beckham knighthood call

Eriksson had faith in Beckham as captain of the squad and kept him in the position when England played their World Cup qualifier against Greece in October 2001. The press praised Beckham for talking more on the pitch and said his confidence had grown.

The Swede’s management style suited him, as he used the 4–4–2 formation with heavy pressing and zonal marking. He focused on getting results, rather than playing with flair but and achieving nothing, emphasising the team’s work rate and tactical awareness.

England were trailing by two goals to one as the match against Greece went into stoppage time. Two-and-a-half minutes in, Beckham scored a spectacular goal that took England through to the World Cup. The TV commentator famously called for Beckham to be given a knighthood. However, this wasn’t to be – although he did receive an OBE in 2003, the knighthood has evaded him.

Backed by Eriksson, Beckham had earned back the fans’ respect after his earlier issues through sheer hard work and incredible talent.

Under the Swede’s leadership, the England football team enjoyed one of their greatest moments in 2001, when they beat Germany 5-1. He led the team to the World Cup quarter finals in 2002 and the quarter finals of UEFA Euro 2004. Eriksson’s final major tournament as England manager was the World Cup 2006.

The 2006 England football team contained some of the greatest players of all time such as Beckham, Gary Neville, Frank Lampard, Michael Owen, Wayne Rooney, John Terry, Steven Gerrard and Rio Ferdinand. Once again, they reached the quarterfinals, before Eriksson left to become manager of Manchester City FC in 2007.

Post-England careers

Beckham and Eriksson had a great mutual respect and remained friends even after their respective England careers had ended.

In 2003, Beckham finally left Manchester United for Real Madrid, while he also established football academies to help young players in London and Los Angeles. He retired from international football in 2009 and as a club player in May 2013 after a career spanning more than 20 years.

Today, he is a well-known philanthropist who supports many charities, such as UNICEF. He founded Malaria No More UK with tennis legend Andy Murray in 2009.

Eriksson’s final job in football management was as head coach of the Philippines national team, before finally retiring in 2019 aged 71. He then came out of retirement in March 2024 to manage the Liverpool Legends for their one-off charity match versus Ajax.

He later said he had cried before and after the match, as he had fulfilled a lifelong dream by managing them, describing it as a “good finish”.

Final meeting

When David Beckham met Sven-Göran Eriksson for the final time this summer at his home in Sunne, alongside Lake Fryken, it was an emotional reunion. They had always spoken warmly of each other and knew this would be the final time they would meet.

They walked through the beautiful scenery, laughing and talking and shedding a few tears, as Eriksson was increasingly frail. At times, he leaned on Beckham to help him remain on his feet.

After their meeting, Eriksson revealed Beckham had taken him six litres of wine from years that were important to him, including his birth year 1948; the year of the Swede’s UEFA Cup victory with IFX Goteborg, 1982; and 2000, when he won Serie A with Lazio.

Prior to his visit, Beckham had sent a chef to cook a special meal, so they could dine as they chatted about football. Erikkson said it showed how “great” Beckham was that he took the time to visit with such special gifts.

Following the news of Eriksson’s death, Beckham, overcome with emotion, revealed they had known this was goodbye. In a social media post, he described his friend as being “passionate, caring, calm and a true gentleman”, adding, “I will forever hold these last memories of this day with you.”

Beckham also revealed that Eriksson’s final words to him were, “It will be okay.”