Former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson will be laid to rest today in a huge, colourful and very public funeral in his hometown following his death aged 76 from pancreatic cancer .
Eriksson grew up in Torsby, a small town of around 4,000 people in western Sweden , and began his career playing for its football team Torsby IF from 1964 to 1971.
This cosy, sleepy place would of course be the springboard for far greater success, with the mild-mannered Swede enjoying a stellar career taking in club giants including Roma and Lazio before five years leading with the Three Lions’ Golden Generation of players.
Since Eriksson’s death last month, preparations have been underway for what is being hailed as ‘the biggest’ funeral the town has ever seen, with the great and good of world football set to attend – including David Beckham and his wife, Victoria.
The rest of the guestlist remains shrouded in mystery but is sure to include numerous figures who worked with the Swede over his decades’ long career, as well as his many friends.
Sven-Goran Eriksson’s children Johan (left) and Lina (second left) arrive for his funeral at Fryksande Church in Torsby today
The coffin of Sven-Goran Eriksson is carried into Fryksande Church in Torsby, Sweden, this morning ahead of his funeral
The interior of Fryksände church in Torsby, Sweden, this morning with the coffin before Sven-Goran Eriksson’s funeral
Former Liverpool and Sweden footballer Glenn Hysén arrives for the funeral of Sven-Goran Eriksson Funeral in Torsby today
The coffin of Sven-Goran Eriksson is carried into Fryksande Church in Torsby, Sweden, this morning ahead of his funeral
Sven-Goran Eriksson’s children Johan (left) and Lina (right) arrive for his funeral at Fryksande Church in Torsby today
Sven-Goran Eriksson’s funeral is taking place at Fryksande Church in Torsby, Sweden, today
Arrivals at Fryksande Church in Torsby, Sweden, this morning ahead of Sven-Goran Eriksson’s funeral
Flowers from Fifa at Fryksände church in Torsby, Sweden, this morning before Sven-Goran Eriksson’s funeral
Arrivals at Fryksande Church in Torsby, Sweden, this morning ahead of Sven-Goran Eriksson’s funeral
Sven-Goran Eriksson’s funeral is taking place at Fryksande Church in Torsby, Sweden, this morning
Arrivals at Fryksande Church in Torsby, Sweden, this morning ahead of Sven-Goran Eriksson’s funeral
The interior of Fryksände church in Torsby, Sweden, this morning with the coffin before Sven-Goran Eriksson’s funeral
Arrivals at Fryksande Church in Torsby, Sweden, this morning ahead of Sven-Goran Eriksson’s funeral
Former England manager Roy Hodgson, a noted influence on Eriksson’s managerial style, flew into a local airport yesterday, as did David Dein, the ex-owner of Arsenal.
Sven-Goran Eriksson, pictured in May 2006
Around 600 mourners are set to pack into Fryksände church, a stately red brick building perched on a hill overlooking the town.
It is surrounded by sweeping lawns and a neat, well-tended cemetery.
By 7.30am local time (6.30am UK time) the area remained shrouded in thick fog, with temperatures hovering around 8C (46F).
The area has been closed off to traffic, with yellow-jacketed stewards controlling admission to family and press.
At the head of the congregation will be Eriksson’s close family including his daughter, Lina, and son, Johan, who followed in his father’s footsteps by playing football before going into management.
His 95-year-old father Sven will also be present alongside Eriksson’s girlfriend Yaniseth Alcides and her son Alcides, as well as his brother Lasse and wife Jumnong.
Former Liverpool and Sweden footballer Glenn Hysén arrives for the funeral of Sven-Goran Eriksson Funeral in Torsby today
The interior of Fryksände church in Torsby, Sweden, this morning with the coffin before Sven-Goran Eriksson’s funeral
Arrivals at Fryksande Church in Torsby, Sweden, this morning ahead of Sven-Goran Eriksson’s funeral
Sven-Goran Eriksson’s funeral is taking place at Fryksande Church in Torsby, Sweden, this morning
Arrivals at Fryksande Church in Torsby, Sweden, this morning ahead of Sven-Goran Eriksson’s funeral
The screen outside Fryksande Church in Torsby, Sweden, displays a picture of Eriksson ahead of the funeral this morning
Arrivals at Fryksande Church in Torsby, Sweden, this morning ahead of Sven-Goran Eriksson’s funeral
Sven-Goran Eriksson’s children Johan (left) and Lina (second left) arrive for his funeral at Fryksande Church in Torsby today
The screen outside Fryksande Church in Torsby, Sweden, displays a picture of Eriksson ahead of the funeral this morning
Sven-Goran Eriksson’s children Johan (left) and Lina (second left) arrive for his funeral at Fryksande Church in Torsby today
The screen outside Fryksande Church in Torsby, Sweden, displays a picture of Eriksson ahead of the funeral this morning
Arrivals at Fryksande Church in Torsby, Sweden, this morning ahead of Sven-Goran Eriksson’s funeral
Sven-Goran Eriksson’s funeral is taking place at Fryksande Church in Torsby, Sweden, today
Sven-Goran Eriksson’s children Johan (left) and Lina (right) arrive for his funeral at Fryksande Church in Torsby today
Sven-Goran Eriksson’s funeral is taking place at Fryksande Church in Torsby, Sweden, today
Sven-Goran Eriksson’s children Johan (left) and Lina (second left) arrive for his funeral at Fryksande Church in Torsby today
Arrivals at Fryksande Church in Torsby, Sweden, this morning ahead of Sven-Goran Eriksson’s funeral
Sven-Goran Eriksson’s children Johan (left) and Lina (second left) arrive for his funeral at Fryksande Church in Torsby today
His longtime lover Nancy Dell’olio, 63, has said she also wants to go to the funeral.
Reflecting the reverence in which he is held in Torsby – where Eriksson is as much a friend, neighbour and old schoolmate as a football icon – an overspill area has been set up outside where people can watch the proceedings on a big screen.
While the rest of the world knew him as Sven, locals called him by his nickname, ‘Svennis’ – after his younger brother Lars-Erik’s attempt to pronounce his name.
Following the service, Torsby’s brass band will lead his coffin along the 700 yard walk from Fryksände church to the Kollsberg homestead, where friends and family will pay a more intimate tribute.
The ‘New Orleans style’ procession is inspired by the colourful 1993 public funeral of Sampdoria president and owner Paolo Mantovani’s in Genoa, which Eriksson attended when he was a coach there and included jazz music.
Preparations have been thorough, with the band’s conductor calculating that the route will take exactly 14 minutes so he can plan the number of pieces of music he needs.
