So long, Sven...

England great David Beckham bids a fond farewell to his old boss

- Patrick Hill

DAVID Beckham placed his hand on the coffin of former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson as he bid a tender farewell to his old boss.

The Three Lions legend was clearly moved as he joined 600 guests at yesterday's funeral and celebration of the Swede's life.

Sven, England's first foreign manager from 2001 to 2006, lost his battle with pancreatic cancer last month at the age of 76.

David, 49, hugged and offered condolences to members of the popular Swede's family including his daughter Lina, 37, as he arrived at Fryksande Church in Sven's hometown of Torsby.

The ex-England captain also embraced Sven's Italian former girlfriend Nancy Dell'Olio, 63, before taking his seat.

Close family mourners included Sven's 95-year-old father Sven, his partner Yaniseth Alcides, 54, and his son Johan, 45. And another former England boss Roy Hodgson was among the guests as hundreds of well-wishers watched on a big screen outside the church before a wake at the local museum.

A tearful Nancy said afterwards: "He will always be with me. Sven will be always part of my life as I was part of his life. I will just miss him. I will miss that part of our life.

Love

"When you love someone and someone is gone, part of your life is gone forever in one way. I will miss our love, our beautiful travels and the love that we gave each other."