Sven Goran Eriksson tribute on BBC makes England fans 'cry' ahead of Euro 2024 opener
Sven Goran Eriksson went public in January with his terminal cancer diagnosis
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England fans were filled with emotions ahead of their Euro 2024 opener after the BBC aired a touching montage featuring former manager Sven Goran Eriksson.
The 76-year-old announced in January that had 'best case a year' to live after being diagnosed with cancer.
He was the first foreign coach to manage England and led them to the quarter-finals in two World Cups and the 2004 Euros.
The Swedish football legend has been on an emotional football tour since announcing his cancer diagnosis with former clubs and players paying tribute to the iconic manager.
He realised a childhood dream of managing Liverpool in March when he took charge of a Reds legend team in a charity match at Anfield.
Sven Goran Eriksson went public in January with his terminal cancer diagnosis
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And ahead of England's opening Euro 2024 match against Serbia, Eriksson featured in the BBC's pre-match coverage.
Eriksson provided an emotional voiceover while looking back on his time in charge of England and thanked the fans for treating him "extremely well".
The short montage made some viewers emotional as they remembered Eriksson's time in charge.
One emotional message read: "Blimey I'm crying already. Sven talking about his cancer diagnosis. Decent bloke. Wish him well."
Another person said: "Sven is gonna make me cry."
A third simply wrote: "I bloody love Sven!"
One other person posted: "Sven! PROPER England manager."
Another said: "@BBCMOTD I had a tear in my eye watching that piece about Sven.
Rio Ferdinand played under Eriksson during his international career and paid tribute to his former boss.
"A wonderful human being first and foremost," he said.
Sven Goran Eriksson led England to three consecutive quarter-finals
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"As a man, the way he used to interact with the players and talk to you, there was no ill-treatment of the players.
"He was very humble and very direct and just a very nice man."
Micah Richards also spoke about Eriksson's impact on him when they worked together at Manchester City.
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Clubs have paid tribute to Sven Goran Eriksson in recent months
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"He just lit up the room," he said.
"I remember at the time I was going through a difficult time.
"He was staying at the hotel, went up to his room. We was there for about five hours reassuring me of my place in the team and anything I needed I could always talk to him. What a guy."
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