LONDON — Sven-Goran Eriksson, the former England manager and the first non-British person to hold the role, has died at the age of 76.

Eriksson led the England national team to the quarter-finals in three major tournaments during his tenure from 2001 to 2006.

In January, Eriksson revealed that he had been diagnosed with cancer and was given "at best" a year to live.

On Monday, his children, Lina and Johan, announced his peaceful passing at his home in Bjorkefors, outside Sunne.

"Our father Sven-Goran Eriksson fell asleep peacefully in his home this morning. He fought bravely with his illness, but now it has come to an end," they said in a statement.

Eriksson's illustrious career saw him manage 12 clubs, including notable stints at Manchester City, Leicester, Roma, and Lazio, where he won a total of 18 trophies. He also managed national teams such as Mexico, Ivory Coast, and the Philippines.

After a successful playing career, which he retired from at 27, Eriksson began his managerial journey with Degerfors in 1977. His managerial career spanned across several countries, where he led clubs to multiple titles, including winning the Serie A with Lazio and the UEFA Cup with IFK Göteborg.

Despite his diagnosis, Eriksson spent the last year visiting many of his former clubs, where he received warm tributes from fans and former colleagues alike. He even participated in a Liverpool Legends match in March, where his lifelong passion for the club shone through.

Eriksson’s legacy in football is marked by both his successes on the pitch and his charm and positivity off it. As he reflected on his life in his recent documentary, Sven, Eriksson encouraged people to "remember me as a positive guy trying to do everything he could do. Don't be sorry, smile."

The Prince of Wales and many others in the football world have paid tribute to Eriksson, remembering him as a true gentleman of the game, whose influence on football will be fondly remembered. — BBC