Liverpool fans have called on the club to enable terminally ill Sven-Goran Eriksson to fulfill his unfulfilled desire to manage the team.
Former England national team coach suffering from pancreatic cancer About a year left to live in “best conditions”Tell Sky News Niall Patterson Of his football regrets He has never managed Anfield.
Eriksson, like his father, was a lifelong supporter of the Merseyside club.
The former England manager is a 'famous man'. Photo: AP
In response to the emotional interview, fans backed the idea of the 75-year-old coaching the LFC Legends in a home charity match against Ajax in March.
The annual match raises money for the Liverpool Foundation, which supports children and young people.
The suggestion was made by football YouTuber and LFC fan, Douglas Horn, who posted on X: “Let's make Sven manage Liverpool Legends against Ajax which is a final dream of his.”
John Gibbons, host of the award-winning Anfield Wrap, told Sky News it was a “fantastic idea”.
“I think people will think it's a beautiful thing,” he said.
“He's a famous person, but to know that he's had this dream of being a Liverpool manager all this time was a huge blow to Liverpool fans even more.”
Read more from Sky News:
Stars pay tribute to Terry Venables
Beckenbauer: The Kaiser who changed the perception of Germany
He added: “We have a legends match coming up in March, so a lot of Liverpool legends come back every year.
“It raises a lot of money for the fantastic Liverpool Foundation and there could be a role to manage this team.
“It may be a game of legends but it's always close to full attendance at Anfield.
“There are a lot of great players, former players you know, playing and this is a great occasion.
“I'm sure he's leading the teams, you know this is Anfield, they're going to play a game where you'll never walk alone, it'll feel like the closest thing.
“I've seen quite a few Liverpool fans mentioning it and I think it's a great idea.
“It's not my idea, but it's an idea I've seen and I think it would be really cool.
“Kenny Dalglish usually does it and he has done it many times, so I'm sure he will be very happy to pass it on to Sven because he is a great football man who is very popular around the country.
“I'm sure everyone would love to see him do it.”
The 75-year-old is a lifelong Liverpool fan. Photo: AP
In a direct message to Eriksson, he said: “It's always good to have another person welcome into the Liverpool family and of course his father too.
“We would love to see you fulfill your dream and your father's dream of seeing you manage Liverpool in this match of legends.
“So, if we can help you try to achieve that, that would be great.
“But if not, there's room in the cup next to me.
“If you want to come and watch a match too, you will always be very welcome at Anfield.”
There was also an outpouring of support on social media.
Steve said: “Let's Liverpool make this happen. To grant a dying man's wish, Liverpool's name should be written all over it.”
Christian Andersson said: “Let's all show together the true meaning of #YNWA and fulfill Sven's dream, by appointing him as coach of #LFC in the Legends match against Ajax!”
Football coach Paul Pearce wrote: “As many have suggested, a Legends match manager would be a classy touch at @LFC.”
Lifelong Red Dan Mathews said: “It will get done. It's what we do. That's why we're different. I'm sure Sven will get his wish.”
Speaking in his interview with Sky News, Eriksson said: “My dad is still a Liverpool fan and I'm a Liverpool fan too, I always have been.
He added: “So I always hoped to be a Liverpool coach and this will not happen, but I am still a Liverpool fan.”
Liverpool FC has been contacted for comment.
Since revealing his cancer diagnosis on Thursday, Eriksson said he has received “a lot of letters and phone calls” from former teammates and players he has coached, including from his days as England coach.
Between 2001 and 2006, Eriksson coached the so-called “golden generation” of England footballers, including Beckham, Steven Gerrard, Rooney and Frank Lampard.
While this team was unable to reach a major final, Eriksson believes the current team is a “good team” and can win Euro 2024.
