Sven-Göran Eriksson’s ex-fiancée made a heart-breaking admission as she recalled their final conversation.
The football legend died on Monday morning (26 August) at the age of 76 following a battle with cancer.
A statement on his official website said the former England manager was surrounded by his family members at home.
Tributes were quick to pour in for Eriksson with player David Beckham sharing a touching video of the day the pair said ‘goodbye’.
Sven-Göran Eriksson has died at the age of 76. (Matteo Ciambelli/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
And on Wednesday, Nancy Dell’Olio spoke on Good Morning Britain about her final conversation with the icon. The 63-year-old was in a relationship with Eriksson from 1998 until 2007.
During her interview, the Italian lawyer explained how the pair had stayed in touch after she heard of his cancer diagnosis.
“I just said he was trying to put in the effort to say that he was fine on the phone because most of the time he was not answering or at treatment,” she said.
Dell’Olio went on to admit that she ‘never thought he was about to die’.
“I always believed there would be some sort of miracle,” she added.
Nancy Dell’Olio became very emotional during the touching interview. (ITV/GMB)
While they chatted during Eriksson’s illness, she said he was always sound ‘relaxed’ and be ‘laughing’.
“It was quite difficult to even be talking but I tried to be fearless and see how he was. I wanted to get together for another dinner,” she said.
Dell’Olio went on to say she still loved the Swede and how ‘difficult’ she found it to be talking about him and ‘knowing that he is not here with us anymore’.
“He was loveable, when you love someone you will love them forever. He was a very kind person. He is more reserved and that is why the opposite always got attention,” she said.
They were together for almost a decade. (Instagram/@nancydellolio)
“We connected he would say when he saw me the first time that he thought I was the one. For me, it was not the same as I was married, and it happened months later.”
Dell’Olio was married to Giancarlo Massa when she met Eriksson but spent nearly a decade with the England icon, despite him having affairs.
During a recently released Amazon Prime documentary, Sven, the football legend opened up about how he would like to be remembered.
Sven-Göran Eriksson’s farewell message ❤️
Our thoughts are with Sven’s family and loved ones as they navigate this difficult time.
Thank you for everything, Sven. pic.twitter.com/vu8dn0YDks
— Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) August 26, 2024
I had a good life, yes. I think we all are scared of the day when it’s finished, when we die,” he said. “But the life is about death as well. You have to learn to accept it, of what it is.
“Hopefully at the end, people will say, ‘Yeah, he was a good man’. But everyone will not say that. I hope you will remember me as a positive guy trying to do everything he could do.
“Don’t be sorry. Smile. Thank you for everything – coaches, players, the crowd.
“It’s been fantastic. Take care of yourself, and take care of your life, and live it. Bye.”
