Sven-Goran Eriksson spoke about his status as an unlikely lothario in the weeks before his death at the age of 76.
The former England manager admitted he was ‘stupid’ to have cheated on Nancy Dell’Olio with Ulrika Jonsson and Faria Alam but said sex should be celebrated and he ‘didn’t do anything criminal’.
On the pitch, Eriksson became the first foreign boss of the England national team in 2001, taking charge of 67 matches until 2006.
He directed the talented squad to the quarter-finals of the 2002 and 2006 World Cups, and at the 2004 European Championships.
Faria Alam left her position at the FA following intense speculation around her affair with Sven-Goran Eriksson
Who is Sven-Goran Eriksson’s ex-mistress Faria Alam?
During his five-year stint as manager of the Three Lions, Eriksson made as many headlines for his antics off the pitch as his team did on it.
While he was dating Italian lawyer Nancy Dell’Olio during his time as England manager, their romance was curtailed after news of Sven having affairs with Ulrika Jonsson and Faria Alam broke.
Born in Pakistan, Alam worked as a model before becoming a secretary at English football’s governing body, the FA, in July 2003.
After her affair with Sven became public in August 2004, she left her position at the FA following intense speculation around the antics of her private life.
In October 2004, Alam made claims against the Football Association of sexual harassment, unfair dismissal, as well accusing the body of a breach of contract – which were rejected by an industrial tribunal in September 2005.
Where is Faria Alam now?
After she lost her job at the FA, Eriksson said that he felt sorry for her and defended her decision to go public with the affair – which saw her earn a reported £300,000.
Sven said: ‘She’d been hung out to dry and had lost her job, so why not make some money from the ordeal?
Faria has since stayed out of the public eye having moved to the United States
‘What made me sad was that it was definitely over between us. I liked Faria a lot. I think love had even blossomed, at least from my end. People said I should have stopped to think what I was doing before getting involved with her.’
Faria has since stayed out of the public eye having moved to the United States.
However, she did break her 14-year silence to send Sven her best wishes following his cancer diagnosis in January.
‘I’m sorry for the news, dear Sven, and I send you nothing but love and healing, for your circumstances.
‘Your courage to ”accept” your predicament makes me continue to admire you, and even more. And again, all the love to you. God bless you. Faria,’ she said, per Swedish news outlet Expressen.
In his autobiography, Eriksson said he ‘never regretted’ his affair with Alam, adding: ‘I loved Faria lot. I think love had even blossomed, at least from my end.’
