OBITUARY
Reaction to death of former England manager Eriksson
Following is reaction to the death of former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson aged 76 on Monday, months after the Swede revealed he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
FA CEO MARK BULLINGHAM
“This is a very sad day. He gave all England fans such special memories. No one can ever forget the 5-1 victory in Munich against Germany under Sven’s guidance.
“Sven will be rightly recognised and forever remembered for his significant work with the England team, and for his wider contribution to the game. He will be much missed, and we will pay tribute to him when we play Finland at Wembley next month.”
EUROPEAN SOCCER’S GOVERNING BODY UEFA
“On behalf of the European football community, everybody at UEFA is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Sven-Goran Eriksson.
“A beloved figure in the game, Sven was a UEFA Cup winner as coach of IFK Goteborg in 1982 before leading Lazio to the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup in 1999. Rest in peace, Sven.”
BRITAIN’S PRINCE WILLIAM
“Sad to hear about the passing of Sven-Goran Eriksson. I met him several times as England manager and was always struck by his charisma and passion for the game. My thoughts are with his family and friends. A true gentleman of the game.”
ENGLAND NATIONAL TEAM
“We are deeply saddened that Sven-Goran Eriksson, who managed the Three Lions from 2001 to 2006, has passed away aged 76. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time. Rest in peace, Sven. You will be greatly missed.”
FORMER ENGLAND STRIKER MICHAEL OWEN
“Rest In Peace Sven-Goran Eriksson. One of the very best and a man who will be sadly missed by everyone in the world of football.”
PREMIER LEAGUE
“We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former England and Manchester City manager Sven-Goran Eriksson. Our thoughts and condolences are with Sven’s family and friends.”
PREMIER LEAGUE CLUB MANCHESTER CITY
“We would like to express our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Sven-Goran Eriksson, who has passed away at the age of 76. Rest in peace, Sven.”
PREMIER LEAGUE CLUB LIVERPOOL
“Rest in peace, Sven-Goran Eriksson. The thoughts of everyone at the club are with Sven’s family and friends at this extremely sad time.”
PREMIER LEAGUE CLUB LEICESTER CITY
“Everyone at Leicester City is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our former Manager, Sven-Goran Eriksson. Our thoughts are with Sven’s family and friends at this sad time.”
LALIGA CLUB REAL MADRID
“Real Madrid, the club’s President and its Board of Directors are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Sven-Goran Eriksson, one of world football’s legendary coaches.
“Real Madrid would like to send its condolences and deepest sympathy to his family, his colleagues, his clubs and all his loved ones.”
BUNDESLIGA CLUB BAYERN MUNICH
“Everyone at Bayern is deeply saddened to hear the passing of Sven-Goran Eriksson. Our thoughts and prayers are with Sven’s family and loved ones during this difficult time.”
-Reuters
Spanish fifth-division goalkeeper Raul Ramirez has died at the age of 19 following a collision during a match for his club Colindres, the Cantabrian Football Federation (RFCF) said on Monday.
Ramirez sustained a head injury during Saturday’s game against Revilla, with Spanish media reporting that the impact led to multiple cardiac arrests and left him brain dead.
The RFCF announced three days of mourning and said a minute’s silence would be observed at all matches next week in his memory.
-Reuters
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Former Liverpool and Chelsea manager Matt Beard has died at the age of 47, the two Women’s Super League (WSL) clubs announced late on Saturday.
Beard led Liverpool to back-to-back WSL titles in 2013 and 2014 during his first stint at the club, before returning to the side in 2021 and guiding them back to the top-flight after two seasons in the second tier.
He left Liverpool in February, with his last coaching role coming in a brief spell in charge of Burnley between June and August.
“The thoughts of everyone at the club are with Matt’s family and friends at this devastating time,” Liverpool said in a statement.
“Matt was not only an extremely committed and successful manager, he was also a person of real integrity and warmth, who will always be remembered with genuine fondness by everyone he worked with at the club.”
Beard began his managerial career at Millwall before moving to Chelsea in 2009. He also coached West Ham United, Boston Breakers and Bristol City.
-Reuters
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OBITUARY
Grand master, Danladi Bako pays tribute to the late journalist and football agent, Chris Eseka
Nigerian broadcasting icon, Dr. Nasir Danladi Bako, who masterminded the television programme, Mastesports on the NTA network, has paid glowing tributes to one of the anchors of the programme, Chris Eseka, who was also a former sports journalist and football agent.
In the tribute titled:” A Master Departs for Home”, Dr Bako remarks:
In 1991, at the National Stadium Surulere, after watching a boxing event together, along with Group Captain Brai Ayonote, former Boxing Federation Chairman, I told Chris I wanted him to join Paul Bassey and Sam John as a presenter for my new programme, Mastersports”, scheduled for live transmission soon on NTA 2.
He looked at me and was quiet for a while. I said, “What do you think?”, he replied “But I am not a TV presenter nah”.
I said I will train you, besides even SJ (Sam John) of the Sunday Times is on the show and Paul Bassey.
He then said,”I will do it if you say so”.
“MasterSports” went on air one February Saturday, at noon on NTA 2 Channel 5. Chris became part of the success story.
Always ready to learn, always ready to improve and ever so humble, especially the way he handled fame. He mentored so many sportswriters as well as young footballers and advised even the established stars.
Before 1992, we had travelled severally times together to cover football matches all over Africa, like the Nigeria versus Cameroon World Cup qualifying in Yaounde in 1989.
Same with tournaments like the FIFA U-20 World Cup Saudi ’89 in Saudi Arabia and Algiers ’90 in Algeria.
Chris had the respect of such big-time coaches as Amodu Shaibu and Concord Publisher Bashorun MKO Abiola, and we regularly saw the Pillar of Sports together. Sometimes, without earlier plans, on a normal Saturday afternoon, we could hop into my car and drive to Abeokuta to watch Abiola Babes trade tackles with Leventis United just like that.
In 1994, I arrived in Tunis a day late for the opening ceremony of the CAF/AFCON tourney and couldn’t get a room at Hotel Diplomat, where the team was lodged, Chris opened his doors at room 108 for me to share with him.
I can go on and on about this very reliable friend and brother.
Chris was a committed sports journalist, refined, diligent and professional. When Tony Ubani and Frank Ilaboya of Sportsville gave me an award for Sports some years ago, I dedicated it to Chris.
Rest in peace, my brother. This was very hard to write. Good night, Chris Eseka, one of the Masters!
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