The former leading English footballer, Aleksson, is battling advanced pancreatic cancer and is counting down the days of his life. Meanwhile, a 76-year-old Swedish soccer wise man bids farewell to the world with a personal documentary in which the curtain falls on his soccer life. I hope that people will remember not only his memory, but also the attitude and philosophy of life and soccer that he left behind. And I want to emphasize that he was a kind man full of positive energy.
Aleksson once confessed, "I fear death, but life is closely linked to death. We must learn to face it and accept it. What I want you to remember is a footballer who was positive and strived for perfection. None of us need to grieve. May you always have a smile on your face. Thank you for all that you do. Coaches, players and fans, all is well. Please take care of yourselves. Goodbye." In January, Allison revealed that he had very little time left to live.
Aleksson has been at the helm of a number of clubs including Benfica, Roma, Russo, Manchester City and Leicester City, and helped Russo win the Serie A title in the 1999/00 season to become one of the world's leading coaches. His coaching career did not stop there, as he traveled to China and the Philippines to continue his footballing mission.
Ericsson is best known for captaining the England national team from 2001 to 2006, leading the team to the 2002 and 2006 World Cups and Euro 2004, where he remained a source of pride for English soccer, despite finishing in the last eight.
