Sven-Goran Eriksson’s children have paid tribute to their ‘brave’ father and thanked all those who created ‘positive memories’ with him during his illness. Today, the former England manager died aged 76 from pancreatic cancer sending shockwaves across the footballing world. The Swede, who said in January that he had ‘best case a year’ to live following his diagnosis, was surrounded by his family as he passed away this morning at his home in Björkefors. Eriksson became the first foreign manager of the England national team in 2001, taking charge of 67 matches until 2006. He led the talented squad to quarter-finals of the 2002 and 2006 World Cups, and at the 2004 European Championships.He also managed Swedish, Portuguese and Italian clubs, winning major trophies in the 1980s and 1990s before taking on the England job. Sven-Goran Eriksson, the former England manager has died aged 76 from pancreatic cancer His children Lina and Johan (pictured in Stockholm in June 2014) paid tribute to their ‘brave’ father and thanked all those who created ‘positive memories’ with him during his illnessEriksson’s children Lina and Johan issued a statement shortly after their father’s death was announced.’Our father Sven-Göran Eriksson fell asleep peacefully in his home at Björkefors outside Sunne this morning,’ it read. ‘He has for a long time fought bravely with his illness, but now it came to an end.’Our thoughts go out to Sven-Göran’s father Sven; girlfriend Yaniseth and her son Alcides; to his brother Lasse and wife Jumnong, as well as to all good friends and acquaintances in Sweden and around the world.’They added: ‘Dad told us at the beginning of this year about his serious illness and received an amazing response from friends and football fans around Europe.’He was invited to several football teams in England, Italy, Portugal and Sweden. They shared their love for football and for dad.’It was unforgettable for both him and us. He expressed his appreciation and joy and stated that such beautiful words are usually only uttered when someone has died. ‘”I get to hear it while I’m alive and I’m incredibly grateful for that. The heart beats twice and the tears come. I have had the best job in the world and I was happy every day for long periods. It’s been fantastic,” he said.’ Lina and Johan expressed their gratitude for the ‘wonderful meetings between him, football and all his friends’. ‘We thank everyone for these positive memories and your support during his illness,’ their statement continued.  Football Association patron Prince William today described him as a ‘true gentleman of the game’, adding that he was ‘always struck by his charisma and passion’. Pictured: June 2006 Sven-Goran Eriksson in a recent Amazon Prime documentary about his life, entitled ‘Sven”We hope that you will remember Svennis as the good and positive person he always was both in public and at home with us.’Bo Gustavsson, an agent in Sweden who worked with Eriksson, shared news of the former England manager’s death. ‘After a long illness, SGE died during the morning at home surrounded by family,’ he said in a statement issued today.’The closest mourners are daughter Lina; son Johan with wife Amana and granddaughter Sky; father Sven; girlfriend Yanisette with son Alcides; brother Lars-Erik with wife Jumnong.’The family asks for respect for their wish to mourn in private and not be contacted. Condolences and greetings can be left on the website www.svengoraneriksson.com.’Speaking with Reuters today, Mr Gustavsson added: ‘We knew it was going to end bad, it all went really fast in the last few weeks.’I have been fascinated by him for a long time, he has always been so positive and has had time for others and never thought of himself, and he was that until the very end,’ the agent added.  Sven-Goran Eriksson with his partner Yaniseth Alcides in Stockholm, Sweden, on January 22 Sven-Goran Eriksson with Italian lawyer Nancy Dell’Olio at a gala dinner in London in 2006 Sven-Goran Eriksson had romances with Swedish TV host Ulrika Jonsson (left) and former FA secretary Faria Alam (right) during his time as England coach.Tributes poured in for Eriksson from around the world following news of his tragic death.Football Association patron Prince William today described him as a ‘true gentleman of the game’, adding that he was ‘always struck by his charisma and passion’.He tweeted: ‘Sad to hear about the passing of Sven-Göran 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. W.’Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: ‘Deeply saddened to hear that Sven-Goran Eriksson has passed away. ‘He will be remembered for his tremendous contribution to English football which brought joy to so many over the years. Our thoughts are with his family.’The England fans’ group Free Lions were among the first to pay tribute, posting on X: ‘RIP Sven. For the night in Munich, amongst everything else, thank you for the memories.’That was a reference to England’s incredible 5-1 victory over Germany in Munich in a World Cup qualifier back in September 2001.Current FA chief executive Mark Bullingham paid tribute to Eriksson on behalf of the governing body. Sven-Goran Eriksson alongside England’s Wayne Rooney at the 2006 World Cup in Germany Sven-Goran Eriksson at a match between Liverpool and Ajax Legends at Anfield on March 23’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,’ Bullingham said.’Sven will be rightly recognised and forever remembered for his significant work with the England team, and for his wider contribution to the game.’On behalf of my colleagues at the FA, past and present, our thoughts are with his friends and family today. He will be much missed, and we will pay tribute to him when we play Finland at Wembley next month.’The men’s England football team’s X account posted a heartfelt message upon the news of their former manager’s death.’We are deeply saddened that Sven-Göran Eriksson, who managed the #ThreeLions from 2001 to 2006, has passed away aged 76,’ their post read. ‘Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time. Rest in peace, Sven. You will be greatly missed.’His life will be celebrated at England’s friendly game against Finland at Wembley next month.Premier League football clubs including Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea have all shared their own tributes to Eriksson.  Sven-Goran Eriksson meets Queen Elizabeth II on November 19, 2022 Sven-Goran Eriksson with Steve McClaren and Tord Grip in Munich in September 2001In his native Sweden, where he is known simply as ‘Svennis’, Eriksson was praised as a great sports leader.’Svennis was a soccer innovator and a very popular person who maintained his core values despite all his international success,’ Sweden’s Minister of Social Affairs Jakob Forssmed wrote on X.Eriksson’s life and career is the subject of a new Amazon Prime documentary which was released on Friday.In it, the Swede talked about how he hoped to be remembered. ‘I hope you will remember me as a positive guy trying to do everything he could do,’ he said.’Don’t be sorry, smile. Thank you for everything, coaches, players, the crowds, it’s been fantastic. Take care of yourself and take care of your life. And live it.’ Eriksson fulfilled his lifelong dream earlier this year by taking charge of Liverpool Legends during a charity match against Ajax. Former Liverpool striker John Aldridge told BBC Radio 5 Live: ‘At the Legends game at Anfield he was just a humble man and the fact it was a charity game that raised a million pound, he was delighted with.’Me, Ian Rush and John Barnes were on the bench and the delight he had on his face, he kept saying, “this is amazing”.’He got to get what he always wanted as a child and the crowd were unbelievable towards him, that was brilliant to see.’