Sven-Goran Eriksson speaks out on Ulrika Jonsson affair in brand new documentary

Sven-Goran Eriksson made headlines amid news of his affair with Ulrika Jonsson whilst in a relationship with Nancy Dell'Olio (le (Image: Fiona Hanson/PA)

Former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson has confessed that his affair with Ulrika Jonsson was "stupid", but the terminally-ill Swede maintains he "didn't do anything criminal".

The 76-year-old was in a relationship with Italian lawyer Nancy Dell'Olio for ten years before he had affairs with TV personality Jonsson and later his secretary Faria Alam. The news of these affairs made massive headlines while he was managing the Three Lions from 2001 to 2006.

Eriksson, who announced earlier this year that he has terminal pancreatic cancer, reflects on his life in his upcoming Amazon Prime documentary, Sven. The affairs, which cast a shadow over much of his career, are discussed in the programme.

While he concedes they were "stupid", he also argues that sex is something to be celebrated.

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"Sex is one of the good things in life for all of us," he commented on the show. "She was not married. I was not married. Probably I was stupid but I think I didn't do anything criminal. I didn't really disturb anyone."

Ulrika Jonsson doesn't regret posing for magazines (Image: BANG Showbiz.)

Dell'Olio considered leaving Eriksson but changed her mind, enjoying her unofficial status as "the first lady of English football, with the former Manchester City manager adding: "She loved it. The tension. She was a lady from the upper classes in Rome. She liked to go out with important people."

Dell'Olio also appeared on the show to share her perspective, explaining why she decided against leaving Sven and how much she enjoyed being with him.

"The first impression that I had about Sven, people in power always have extra, extra sex appeal. I felt in love," she said. "It wasn't something that I was looking for. I was married and I left my husband to start my journey with Sven. We were Sven and Nancy since the first date. I was the first lady of English football and there was never going to be another one after me."

She continued: "The stupidity of Sven. After Sven's first scandal, I wanted to leave him. I couldn't want to admit to myself that there was a possibility that I made a mistake. That I left everything for him. My lawyers said give him another chance but think what you can get from this."

Eriksson, who managed England's famous group dubbed 'The Golden Generation' - featuring stars like Wayne Rooney, Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard and David Beckham - took them to two World Cups and one European Championship. He then went on to manage Manchester City, Mexico, Leicester City and had a handful of roles in China.

At the start of 2024, he revealed the tragic news that he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and only had "at best" about a year left to live. This followed his collapse without warning following a 5km run the previous day.

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Speaking further in the documentary, Sven said he had enjoyed his life and admitted he did have fears of dying, but said he had to "accept" his diagnosis. .

"Whoever it was said 'life is too short' is right," he continued. "I had a good life, maybe too good. You have to pay for it. I think we all are scared of the day when it's finished, when you die. You have to learn to accept it for what it is."

Sven-Goran Eriksson speaks out on Ulrika Jonsson affair in brand new documentary

Sven-Goran Eriksson speaks out on Ulrika Jonsson affair in brand new documentary

Sven-Goran Eriksson speaks out on Ulrika Jonsson affair in brand new documentary

Sven-Goran Eriksson speaks out on Ulrika Jonsson affair in brand new documentary

Sven-Goran Eriksson speaks out on Ulrika Jonsson affair in brand new documentary