Sven-Goran Eriksson died last month at the age of 76 after a battle with pancreatic cancer – and one of the former England boss’ final wishes has been denied by local council officials
Sven-Goran Eriksson’s wish of having his ashes scattered at his favourite beauty spot has been rejected by council chiefs.
The former England and Manchester City boss passed away last month at the age of 76. His funeral was held in the Swede’s home town of Torsby last Friday.
His former partner Nancy Dell’Olio and ex-Three Lions captain David Beckham were among those in attendance to pay their respects. Before passing away, Eriksson had expressed his wish to have his ashes scattered in a particularly eye-catching spot in Lake Fryken.
Speaking in his Amazon documentary – which was released shortly before he passed away – he said: “It’s a beautiful place. It makes you calm, it makes me calm. 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.”
But his wishes have seemingly been denied. Local council officials have reportedly prevented his family from scattering his ashes at the beauty spot, according to The Sun. Eriksson’s agent Bo Gustavsson said: “We have not been allowed to scatter his ashes in Lake Fryken.”
It has since been confirmed that Eriksson’s ashes will now be buried in an urn at an undisclosed location. The ex-manager’s friend Anders Runebjer added: “We have withdrawn our application to scatter his ashes. They will be buried in an urn instead.”
While Eriksson’s dying wish has been turned down, his home town of Torsby is determined to honour him. Torsby Municipality’s business developer, Andre Liljemark, has confirmed that a new statue will be built.
What is your Sven-Goran Eriksson highlight? Share your thoughts in the comments below
Speaking to Mirror Football, he said: “It will be a bronze statue and will be heated by electrical cords inside it keeping it warm, so people will be able to come here during the winter and Svennis will be warm to touch.
“It will be exactly Svennis’ size. The arms, the fingers, the nose, the ears, everything. The artist visited Svennis and took measurements. Every millimetre of his body will be the right size and on the statue will be Svennis’ real suit and shoes, which he wore.
“She’s [the artist] been taking inspiration from pictures of the time when he was with England. It is in the making and will be finished maybe in November.”
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