An emotional David Beckham appeared to wipe away tear at the funeral of Sven-Goran Eriksson before grieving at the coffin of his former England boss.
Beckham, 49, joined about 600 mourners to watch the footballing great being laid to rest in his home town of Torsby, in Sweden.
It comes after the ex-Three Lions manager, 76, died in August following a battle against terminal pancreatic cancer.
Beckham, who flew into Sweden on a private jet yesterday, joined mourners including Sven’s ex Nancy Dell’Olio, former England boss Roy Hodgson, and Sven’s family including his 95-year-old father, also called Sven.
And during an emotional service at Fryksande Church, football hero Beckham appeared to shed a tear as tributes were read out to the boss who made him England captain for the first time.
Afterwards, a solemn Beckham was seen gently placing his hand on Sven’s casket as the football hero said his final goodbye.
David Beckham appears to wipe away a tear during the funeral for Sven-Goran Eriksson at Fryksände church in Torsby today
Former England captain Beckham was among the 600 mourners to attend the funeral service
Afterwards, a solemn Beckham was seen gently placing his hand on Sven’s casket as the football hero said his final goodbye
Beckham joins mourners on their way out of the funeral service honouring Sven-Goran Eriksson this morning
Earlier Beckham, who led England under Eriksson at three major international tournaments, hugged the ex-coach’s longtime lover Dell’olio as they arrived at the service.
Many were moved to tears during the poignant ceremony following the sermon read out by priest Ingela Alvskog,
The priest, a friend of Sven’s, said: ‘Sven-Goran was genuinely kind and never deliberately caused problems. He was a loving father, but not good at going shopping! He was not too interested in dancing either, but became quite proficient at the salsa.
‘Sven-Goran was never late. He would rather be five or ten minutes early. Taking it easy on holiday was never his thing. He loved routine and discipline. He loved good food and drink and travelling first class.
‘Sven-Goran was mentally strong, even in adversity. He had a will of iron and never gave up. In spite of his illness Sven-Goran’s last few months have been full of life. He received many tributes from around the world.’
Eriksson’s children Johan and Lina and his 95-year-old father, also called Sven, were in the congregation along with Bengt Berg, a childhood friend who helped Eriksson write his forthcoming book A Beautiful Game.
Other mourners included Eriksson’s partner Yaniseth Alcides, former Liverpool and Sweden footballer Glenn Hysén, former head coach of Sweden Tommy Söderberg and ex-Swedish footballer Thomas Nordahl.
Crowds who gathered outside the church to watch the arrivals from about 8am local time (7am UK time) also saw Andrea Möllerberg, general secretary, and Kim Källström, head of football at the Swedish football federation.
Sven’s former partner Nancy Dell’Olio places her hand on the England legend’s casket at his funeral in Sweden today
A reflective David Beckham, ex-England captain is seen walking out of the service this morning
David Beckham and Nancy Dell’Olio embrace at the funeral for Sven-Göran Eriksson at Fryksände church in Torsby today
David Beckham hugs Nancy Dell’Olio at Fryksände church in Torsby today ahead of the funeral for Sven-Göran Eriksson
David Beckham and Nancy Dell’Olio embrace at the funeral for Sven-Göran Eriksson at Fryksände church in Torsby today
Tord Grip (front left) and David Beckham (front right) leave after the funeral of Sven-Goran Eriksson in Torsby, Sweden, today
David Beckham arrives at the funeral service for Sven-Goran Eriksson at Fryksände church in Torsby, Sweden, this morning
Sven-Goran Eriksson’s longtime lover Nancy Dell’Olio outside Fryksande Church in Torsby, Sweden ahead of today’s funeral
David Beckham appears to wipe away a tear during the funeral for Sven-Goran Eriksson at Fryksände church in Torsby today
Sven-Goran Eriksson’s daughter Lina, son Johan and father Sven during the funeral of their father in Torsby this morning
The coffin is carried out of the church following Sven-Goran Eriksson’s funeral in Torsby, Sweden, this morning
Former Swedish football player Thomas Nordahl and David Beckham leave the church after the funeral service today
Sven-Goran Eriksson’s children Johan (left) and Lina (second left) arrive for his funeral at Fryksande Church in Torsby today
The funeral service for football coach Sven-Goran Eriksson is taking place at Fryksände church in Torsby, Sweden, today
Yaniseth Alcides, partner of Sven-Göran Eriksson, arrives for the funeral in Torsby, Sweden, this morning
Sven-Goran Eriksson’s father, also called Sven, arrives at Fryksande Church in Torsby, Sweden, this morning for the funeral
Former England manager Roy Hodgson ahead of the funeral of Sven-Goran Eriksson in Torsby, Sweden, this morning
The coffin of Sven-Goran Eriksson is carried into Fryksande Church in Torsby, Sweden, this morning ahead of his funeral
Former England player David Beckham with daughter of Sven-Göran Eriksson, Lina Eriksson, at the funeral this morning
Sven-Goran Eriksson’s son Johan greets David Dein, former owner of Arsenal, before the funeral in Torsby this morning
Mourners outside the funeral for football boss Sven-Göran Eriksson at Fryksände church in Torsby, Sweden, this morning
Sven-Goran Eriksson’s longtime lover Nancy Dell’Olio outside Fryksande Church in Torsby, Sweden ahead of today’s funeral
A priest blesses the coffin of the late England football manager Sven-Goran Eriksson during his funeral service today
Sven-Goran Eriksson’s father Sven and son Johan greet each other outside Fryksande Church in Torsby, Sweden, this morning
Yaniseth Alcides, partner of Sven-Göran Eriksson, touches the coffin at the funeral in Torsby, Sweden, this morning
Eriksson’s coffin arrived at Fryksande church at around 7am local time (8am UK), long before the arrival of any of the 600 guests – and a single bell tolled as his body was carried inside.
Ex-England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson, pictured in May 2006
Members of Sweden’s royal family were also expected to have been in attendance, with roads surrounding the church in the small town where Eriksson grew up cordoned off by police.
Among those to arrive early was Bengt Berg, who said: ‘I’m very happy and very sad at the same time. But it’s fantastic to see him returning to his first point. It’s a very curious feeling.
‘He’s one of us and we share his glory. But when he returned here, he was just one of the hot dog eaters.’.
Under Eriksson’s direction, England reached the World Cup quarter-finals in 2002 and 2006, and the last-eight of Euro 2004.
He was England manager for five years, having previously guided Lazio to the Serie A title. He also managed Roma, Fiorentina and Sampdoria in Italy.
After stepping down from the England job, he held managerial posts with Manchester City, Leicester and the Mexico national team.
Nancy Dell’Olio greets Sven-Goran Eriksson’s son Johan on the steps of Fryksande Church in Torsby, Sweden, today
Tord Grip (front left) and David Beckham (front right) leave after the funeral of Sven-Goran Eriksson in Torsby, Sweden, today
Mourners stand outside the church in Torsby for the funeral of former England football manager Sven-Goran Eriksson
Sven-Goran Eriksson’s son Johan and daughter Lina during the funeral of their father in Torsby this morning
The funeral service for football coach Sven-Göran Eriksson at Fryksände church in Torsby, Sweden, this morning
Singer Charlotta Birgersson during the funeral of Sven-Goran Eriksson in Torsby, Sweden, this morning
Former IFK Göteborg footbaler Glenn Holm (left) arrives at the funeral of Sven-Goran Eriksson in Torsby this morning
Mourners outside the funeral for football boss Sven-Göran Eriksson at Fryksände church in Torsby, Sweden, this morning
David Beckham at the funeral service for Sven-Goran Eriksson at Fryksände church in Torsby, Sweden, this morning
Sven-Goran Eriksson’s daughter Lina ahead of the funeral at Fryksände church in Torsby, Sweden, this morning
Sven-Goran Eriksson’s daughter Lina, son Johan and father Sven during the funeral of their father in Torsby this morning
The funeral service for football coach Sven-Göran Eriksson at Fryksände church in Torsby, Sweden, this morning
Artist Oscar Magnusson during the funeral of Sven-Goran Eriksson at Fryksände church in Torsby, Sweden, this morning
The funeral service for football coach Sven-Göran Eriksson at Fryksände church in Torsby, Sweden, this morning
Mourners outside the funeral for football boss Sven-Göran Eriksson at Fryksände church in Torsby, Sweden, this morning
Thomas Wernerson (left), former footballer, and Kjell Pettersson (centre), former coach of IFK Göteborg, arrive this morning
David Beckham arrives at the funeral service for Sven-Goran Eriksson at Fryksände church in Torsby, Sweden, this morning
A man wearing a IFK Goteborg football kit pays his respects outside the funeral service of Sven-Goran Eriksson today
Yaniseth Alcides, partner of Sven-Göran Eriksson, touches the coffin at the funeral in Torsby, Sweden, this morning
Football coach Roger Palmgren arrives for the funeral of Sven-Göran Eriksson in Torsby this morning
Sven-Goran Eriksson’s daughter Lina, son Johan and father Sven during the funeral of their father in Torsby this morning
Mourners outside the funeral for football boss Sven-Goran Eriksson at Fryksände church in Torsby, Sweden, this morning
Karin Mattsson Weijber (third right), former head of the Swedish National Sports Federation (Riksidrottsförbundet), today
The ringing of a solitary bell on a chill, misty morning in the small, rural Swedish town of Torsby marked the start of Erikkson’s funeral service.
The song Sailing was played on the organ before the iconic 17th century English hymn Amazing Grace – the paean of a former slave trader turned abolitionist – was sung by the congregation in Swedish, with mourners remaining seated throughout.
Alongside pews running along the central aisle, attendees also sat on seats at the front and two balconies on either side, with a small group of accredited photographers located in front of the organ towards the back of the church.
Most mourners are dressed all in black, although some are carrying red roses.
In a sermon delivered in Swedish and then English, the vicars – one male and one female and dressed in white robes – described death as a ‘question mark, not a full stop’.
The male vicar, speaking in English, reflected how a person who is terminally ill may ‘yearn’ for death as a relief from their pain.
But death was described as a ‘ellipsis point used to show a continuation’. He added: ‘After death, there is continuation – it is not the end, but the beginning of something new.’
Sven-Goran Eriksson’s son Johan and daughter Lina during the funeral of their father in Torsby this morning
David Beckham arrives at the funeral service for Sven-Goran Eriksson at Fryksände church in Torsby, Sweden, this morning
Mourners outside the funeral for football boss Sven-Göran Eriksson at Fryksände church in Torsby, Sweden, this morning
The funeral service for football coach Sven-Goran Eriksson is taking place at Fryksände church in Torsby, Sweden, today
Sven-Goran Eriksson’s daughter Lina greets guests outside Fryksande Church in Torsby, Sweden, before today’s funeral
Sven-Goran Eriksson’s longtime lover Nancy Dell’Olio outside Fryksande Church in Torsby, Sweden ahead of today’s funeral
David Beckham arrives at the funeral service for Sven-Goran Eriksson at Fryksände church in Torsby, Sweden, this morning
The interior of Fryksände church in Torsby, Sweden, this morning with the coffin before Sven-Goran Eriksson’s funeral
David Beckham arrives at the funeral service for Sven-Goran Eriksson at Fryksände church in Torsby, Sweden, this morning
Yaniseth Alcides, partner of Sven-Göran Eriksson, arrives for the funeral in Torsby, Sweden, this morning
Former England player David Beckham with daughter of Sven-Göran Eriksson, Lina Eriksson, at the funeral this morning
A floral wreath from Tord Grip and his family during the funeral of Sven-Göran Eriksson in Torsby this morning
Mourners outside the funeral for football boss Sven-Göran Eriksson at Fryksände church in Torsby, Sweden, this morning
Sven-Goran Eriksson’s funeral is taking place at Fryksande Church in Torsby, Sweden, this morning
Nancy Dell’Olio greets Sven-Goran Eriksson’s son Johan on the steps of Fryksande Church in Torsby, Sweden, today
A man wearing a IFK Goteborg football kit pays his respects outside the funeral service of Sven-Goran Eriksson today
David Beckham arrives at the funeral service for Sven-Goran Eriksson at Fryksände church in Torsby, Sweden, this morning
Providing some personal reflections, he continued: ‘Today is a day of grief, but also a day of thankfulness. There is much to be thankful for. In time, this thankfulness may fill some of the emptiness that he leaves behind.’
He spoke of the ‘many fine memories’ of Eriksson, including precious time spent at home, which was ‘finer than a five star hotel’. He was described as ‘kind’, while the vicar also reflected on his tendency to wear suits as a child and read detective novels.
He called him a loving father, who ‘was rubbish at shopping’. He was also said to struggle with dancing before becoming ‘proficient at salsa’.
Eriksson was described as ‘never late’ and a lover of routine – rising early for breakfast even on holidays.
He was a big reader and interested in politics, religion and history, although he also admired the finer things in life like wine and travelling first class, the vicar said.
He was said to combine an ‘iron’ will with a humble, considerate demeanour. The vicar described his last few weeks as ‘full of life’ – accompanied with ‘outpourings of love’ – including when he walked onto the pitch with his granddaughter at Anfield.
Former footballer Glenn Strömberg and TV commentator Niklas Holmgren during the funeral of Sven-Goran Eriksson today
David Beckham arrives at the funeral service for Sven-Goran Eriksson at Fryksände church in Torsby, Sweden, this morning
David Beckham arrives at the funeral service for Sven-Goran Eriksson at Fryksände church in Torsby, Sweden, this morning
Andrea Möllerberg, general secretary and Kim Källström, head of football at the Swedish football federation, arrive today
Later in the service, a poem chosen by the family was read out and a song was performed by the female vicar – before a heartfelt solo performance of Candle of the Wind – using similar lyrics to those performed at Princess Diana’s funeral, with ‘England’ substituted at the start of ‘our’ and, later in the song, for the name of the local region.
The reading of the Lord’s Prayer was followed by the singing of the hymn How Great Thou Art, with the voices of the large congregation echoing around the towering whitewashed walls of the church.
Frank Sinatra’s My Way was sung as a solo by a male and female singer, before the relatives walked up towards the altar and placed their flowers on the coffin.
Members of the Eriksson family were seen comforting one another as they bade their final farewell, with some holding back tears.
Mourners were asked to place their own flowers in an area outside the west door so they could be included in the procession.