Jurgen Klopp has invited with “open arms” Sven-Goran Eriksson to realise his dream of managing Liverpool following his terminal cancer diagnosis.
The Reds boss made the offer “from the bottom of all our hearts” after the former England manager, who has pancreatic cancer with about a year left to live at the “best case”, told Sky News’ Niall Paterson of his footballing regret at never having taken the helm at Anfield.
Eriksson, like his father, has been a lifelong supporter of the Merseyside club.
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In response to the poignant interview, fans rallied behind the call for the 75-year-old to manage the LFC Legends side in a charity home match against Ajax in March.
But Klopp has now gone a step further.
Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: “Sven, you are invited from the bottom of all our hearts to come here and you can have my office, you can lead a session if you want. That’s all no problem.
“Open arms. Come over here and let’s have a few great hours together.”
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Since revealing his terminal illness earlier this month, Eriksson said he had received “a lot of messages and phone calls” from former colleagues and players he coached, including from his days as England boss.
Between 2001 and 2006, Eriksson coached the so-called “golden generation” of footballers in the England team including David Beckham, Steven Gerrard, Wayne Rooney and Frank Lampard.
He led England to three consecutive quarter-finals at major tournaments and was manager in one of their most famous results, a 5-1 win over Germany in Munich in September 2001.
While he did not manage to reach a major final in the job, Eriksson believes the current squad is a “good team” and can win Euro 2024.
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His last coaching role was with the Philippines’ national team in 2018-19.
Eriksson resigned as sporting director at Swedish club Karlstad Football 11 months ago due to health issues.
