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.
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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.
“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."
Topics: Sven-Goran Eriksson, Football, Liverpool, Anfield
Marcus Banks