Sven-Goran Eriksson stated that he had accomplished a lifelong aspiration by managing Liverpool Legends in a charity game against Ajax Legends at Anfield on Saturday.
The 76-year-old ex-England manager shared in January that he had a maximum of a year to live following a pancreatic cancer diagnosis.
Back then, the Swede, who had lengthy stints managing clubs like Manchester City and Lazio, expressed his enduring adoration for Liverpool and his desire to manage the club at some point in his life.
His aspiration came true on Saturday when Eriksson, along with former Liverpool favorites Ian Rush, John Barnes, and John Aldridge in the home dug-out, contributed to overseeing a 4-2 victory.
Eriksson mentioned that he had teared up before the start of the match, receiving a standing ovation from the crowd as he stepped onto the pitch, while fans serenaded the Liverpool anthem 'You'll Never Walk Alone'.
"That will be a significant memory in life," stated Eriksson. "Absolutely wonderful."
"To be on the bench for Liverpool, that has been my lifelong dream. Now it has happened, and it was a beautiful day in every sense."
"The crowd, the match, the players, everything, fantastic. Thank you to Liverpool for providing me with this opportunity, inviting me to such a meaningful game – it's not about points, but the significance of the game is remarkable."
"It was full of emotions, tears flowing. Liverpool has been my dream club all my life – even during my time with England, I supported Liverpool, but I couldn't say it back then."
"It's a good conclusion, to end with Liverpool, it can't get much better than that," added Eriksson, who steered England to the quarter-finals of the 2002 and 2006 World Cups.
Liverpool were trailing 2-0 at half-time on Saturday before scoring goals at the Kop end from Gregory Vignal, Djibril Cisse, Nabil El Zhar, and Fernando Torres turned the tide of the match in their favor.
The Reds were led by Steven Gerrard, who played under Eriksson for England. "He (Gerrard) is the boss out there – of course (he still has it)!" stated Eriksson.
AFP
