sportbible homepage
sportbible homepage
  • Home
  • Football
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • World Cup
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Manchester United
    • Liverpool
    • Arsenal
    • Real Madrid
    • Barcelona
  • Formula 1
    • Red Bull
    • Ferrari
    • McLaren
    • Mercedes
    • Max Verstappen
    • Lewis Hamilton
    • Lando Norris
    • George Russell
    • Charles Leclerc
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • More Sport
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • NBA
    • NFL
    • Darts
    • Athletics
    • Rugby
    • Wrestling
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Archive
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Snapchat
TikTok
Threads
YouTube
Submit Your Content Here
  • GAMINGbible
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • LADbible
  • Tyla
  • FOODbible
  • UNILAD Tech
Sven-Goran Eriksson's ex-fiancee Nancy Dell'Olio breaks down while revealing heartbreaking final conversation
Home>Football
Updated 11:23 9 Jul 2026 GMT+1Published 11:56 28 Aug 2024 GMT+1

Sven-Goran Eriksson's ex-fiancee Nancy Dell'Olio breaks down while revealing heartbreaking final conversation

She spent almost a decade with the football legend

Marcus Banks

Marcus Banks

google discoverFollow us on Google Discover

Sven-Goran Erikkson's ex-fiancée has revealed details of her final conversation with the football legend.

The football world is in mourning this week after it was confirmed Erikkson has passed away on August 26 at the age of 76 following a battle with cancer.

According to a statement on his official website, Erikkson was surrounded by his family members at home.

Fans could barely hold back the tears earlier in the year when Liverpool granted a life-long wish of the ex-England manager and allowed him to take charge of a legends match at Anfield.

Advert

The Swede's ex-fiancée, Nancy Dell’Olio, appeared on ITV talk show Good Morning Britain to discuss the football icon who she was in a relationship with from 1998 to 2007.

Dell'Olio struggled to keep her emotions in check when discussing how the pair had stayed in contact after his cancer diagnosis was revealed.

"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.

In a heart-breaking admission, the Italian lawyer admitted that she ‘never thought he was about to die’.

“I always believed there would be some sort of miracle,” she added.

The 63-year-old opened up on speaking to Erikkson about his illness and how fell in love with her at first sight.

Sven-Goran Eriksson passed at the age of 76 (Getty)
Sven-Goran Eriksson passed at the age of 76 (Getty)

“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.

"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.

"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."

Amazon Prime recently released a documentary featuring the footballing legend where he shared a message to the world as to how he wants to be remembered.

"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."

Featured Image Credit: ITV/GMB / Instagram/nancydellolio

Topics: Sven-Goran Eriksson, Football, Liverpool

Marcus Banks
Marcus Banks

Marcus Banks is a social media editor for SPORTbible. He previously worked for publications such as the Liverpool Echo, Daily Mirror, Manchester Evening News and Dexerto. Specialises in football and MMA.

X

@MarcusBanksX

Recommended reads

Luke Riley makes bold prediction ahead of blockbuster fight on Conor McGregor v Max Holloway cardGetty ImagesForget Conor McGregor - Lone'er Kavanagh is the UFC star you should be watching this weekendGetty ImagesF1 and F3 trainer reveals gruelling physical and mental work drivers must do for each race ahead of British GPGettyDavid Croft proposes new Olympic sport with drivers from 'around the world' ahead of British GPGetty

Advert

Choose your content:

an hour ago
3 hours ago
4 hours ago
5 hours ago
  • Getty
    an hour ago

    Man City star officially hands in transfer request and is top of Premier League side's wishlist

    Manchester City's raft of departures looks set to continue, with another star set to move within the Premier League.

    Football
  • Getty
    3 hours ago

    'Crosses the line' - UEFA issues furious response after Gianni Infantino's plan to sell shares in World Cup emerges

    FIFA president Gianni Infantino intends to sell stakes in the World Cup, a decision that many believe will kill the game.

    Football
  • Getty
    4 hours ago

    Arsenal dealt Vinicius Jr transfer blow as Real Madrid reach final summer decision

    Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho is intent on keeping Vini Jr at the Bernabeu with just one year left on his contract.

    Football
  • Getty
    5 hours ago

    New 'VAR Light' approved by FIFA and introduced in European League for new season

    A new form of VAR will be brought in, with a completely different approach in the 2026/27 season.

    Football
  • David Beckham reveals Sven-Goran Eriksson's last words to him in emotional tribute
  • Sven-Goran Eriksson says goodbye with emotional final message as he opens up on how he wants people to remember him
  • David Beckham reveals Sven-Goran Eriksson's last words to him in emotional tribute
  • Sven-Goran Eriksson had lifelong wish granted before sad passing aged 76