Sven Goran Eriksson’s former lover Nancy Dell Olio has paid tribute to the ex England boss. after he passed away on Monday morning aged 76 following his battle against pancreatic cancer.
The lawyer, 63, and the Swede previously had a ten year relationship and were thought to have never married, but Nancy referred to him as her husband as she reflected on their years together in the heartfelt post.
The glamorous Italian – who left her husband Giancarlo Massa for the coach – was a constant by his side and pictured with him at several tournaments.
Nancy took to her Instagram to share a loved-up photo of her sitting in Sven’s lap, with his arms wrapped around her.
In the caption she wrote: ‘It is with a heavy heart that I share the passing of my ex-husband, Sven. Though our relationship had its ups and downs, I choose to remember the good times we shared and the moments that brought joy to our lives.
Sven Goran Eriksson’s former lover Nancy Dell Olio has paid tribute to the ex England boss. after he passed away on Monday morning aged 76 following his battle against pancreatic cancer
‘I will always hold onto those cherished memories and extend my deepest condolences to his family, as well as his beloved children, Lina and Johan.
‘When you love someone, that love never truly fades. Rest in peace, Sven. You will be missed.’
When Sven led England to the World Cup in Germany in 2006, flamboyant Nancy, dressed in designer outfits, organised parties for the WAGS in their base at Baden Baden.
They met in 1997 when he was manager at Rome club Lazio and came to England with him when he was appointed in charge of the Three Lions and was with him for ten years.
Sven revealed in January that he had ‘best case a year’ to live following his pancreatic cancer diagnosis.
After his announcement, Nancy called the news ‘devastating’, saying she ‘knew he was ill’ but had no idea of the extent of his condition.
At the time she told MailOnline: ‘I didn’t think 2024 would open with more bad news. I knew that Sven was ill, but it hurts so much to hear this.
‘It’s a really negative moment. In September my mother died and I can’t get over this loss. It’s like having an open wound that instead of healing keeps getting worse.
‘Sven’s announcement was devastating. I knew he wasn’t well, but hearing his words really. Life can be cruel.’
Nancy also revealed that she and Sven were due to get married, but said that life had got in the way.
When asked about reports they had been due to tie the knot she said: ‘Yes but it never happened.
‘Life never knows what awaits you, changes have occurred, difficult days have arrived and many trials to face.’
Nancy stuck with Sven despite his affairs with TV presenter Ulrika Jonsson and FA secretary Faria Alam and went onto appear in Strictly and Celebrity Big Brother and Celebrity MasterChef.
Writing about their relationship in her book My Beautiful Game, she gushed: ‘I’m proud to have talked about the beautiful love story that linked me to Sven, it’s one of the two great love stories of my life.’
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