Sven-Goran Eriksson has been denied his dying wish to have his ashes scattered at a lake in Sweden after officials blocked the move.
The former England manager died on August 26 at the age of 76 having been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2023.
Last Friday, Eriksson’s funeral was held in Torsby and was attended by the likes of David Beckham, Roy Hodgson and Nancy Dell’Olio.
Before his death, Eriksson made it known that he wanted to have his ashes released into Lake Fryken, located in the south of Sweden.
‘It’s a beautiful place. It makes you calm, it makes me calm,’ Eriksson said in his Amazon documentary, which was released shortly before his death.
‘My father grew up below the mountain. If you look straight ahead there is Torsby where I grew up, and in the other direction is Sunne where I was born.
‘I have always thought it was a good place to sleep.
‘My ashes can be thrown into the water here. It feels like home.’
However, local council officials in Sweden have declared that Eriksson’s family are not allowed to scatter his ashes in the lake.
Eriksson’s agent Bo Gustavsson said: ‘We have not been allowed to scatter his ashes in Lake Fryken.’
Eriksson’s close friend Anders Runebjer said: ‘We have withdrawn our application to scatter his ashes. They will be buried in an urn instead.’
In his final message in a column for The Telegraph, the former England manager wrote: ‘Celebrate life.
‘That has always been my mindset – whatever is thrown at you.
‘Since I was given the news that I had terminal cancer, it has been difficult. I had days when I felt very bad, and other days when I felt OK. Through it all though, I always tried to live every day with a smile on my face. You have to stay positive.
‘The response from the public has been wonderful. It has given me energy and positivity. I have cried a lot over the past few months. They have been happy tears, mostly. I would like people to remember me as a decent coach who tried to do his best. I hope they enjoyed me being their manager.
‘My message to everyone would be: don’t give up. Never give up. Do not give up, is my message for life. And please don’t forget this: life is always, always to be celebrated.’
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