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The Swedish coaching legend Sven-Göran Eriksson
Photo: Jason Cairnduff / Action Images / Reuters
Swedish coaching legend Sven-Göran Eriksson was celebrated with loud applause at Liverpool FC's legendary game at Anfield Road. On his emotional return to the coaching bench, the Reds' traditional team won 4-2 against a selection from Ajax Amsterdam. In January, Eriksson made it public that he had incurable pancreatic cancer.
It could have been Eriksson's last appearance on the sidelines of a football game. The 76-year-old fulfilled a heartfelt wish. Working for Liverpool was “always a dream” of his. Jürgen Klopp, Liverpool's coach until the end of the season, had offered Eriksson to take over his job. “He can sit in my seat in my office and do my job for a day if he wants,” Klopp said.
Before the game, Klopp and Eriksson hugged each other warmly in the catacombs. Eriksson came onto the pitch first with a walk-in child in his hand. Around 60,000 fans stood and applauded before the club anthem "You'll never walk alone" was played.
“I want to enjoy every minute,” emphasized Steven Gerrard, one of the club’s great icons, before the start of the game. “It still feels like a very special place,” agreed his former teammate Fernando Torres: “And it’s a special day for Sven.”
Eriksson managed a selection of former Liverpool players at Anfield, including Jerzy Dudek, Sami Hyypiä and Dirk Kuyt. The proceeds from the charity game against the legendary Ajax team will be donated to local institutions.
The Swede, who is nicknamed “Svennis” in his homeland, resigned from his position as sports director at the Swedish club IF Karlstad at the beginning of the year after his cancer diagnosis. In his coaching career, the former defensive player coached, among others, the clubs Benfica Lisbon, Roma, Lazio and Manchester City as well as the national teams of England, Mexico, the Philippines and Ivory Coast.
mlb/dpa