David Beckham captained England during Sven Goran Eriksson’s time in charge and the pair have kept in touch ever since the Swede was sacked by the FA following the 2006 World Cup

Ex-England manager Sven Goran Eriksson has revealed that David Beckham regularly checks up on him as he continues to live with terminal cancer.

Eriksson, 76, announced in January that he’d been diagnosed with incurable pancreatic cancer, admitting the ‘best case’ was that he’d survive for another year. The Swede is currently undergoing chemotherapy in an effort to extend his life and he’ll soon appear in a documentary which will look back on, among other things, his five years as England manager between 2001 and 2006.

Shortly after taking the job, Eriksson appointed Beckham as captain and explains in the film which releases on August 23: “I loved him from day one. He protected the players and treated them with respect.”

In an interview with the Guardian, the former England boss expanded on his and the Manchester United legend’s relationship. Asked if he’d remained close to Beckham, Eriksson replied: “Yes. He sends me messages asking how I am.”

The 76-year-old, who managed England at two World Cups and one European Championship, added: “I hope I was close to everyone, but of course you speak to the captain more than the other players, so that was the closest relationship for sure.”

In June, Eriksson revealed that Beckham had paid him a visit at his home in rural Sweden and brought with him six litres of wine, all from years which were important to his old boss.

Speaking on Radio Sweden’s P4 Varmland channel, he explained: “He had wine from 1948 – the year I was born, very nice of him. He is genuine, he could have been a big diva, but he is quite the opposite.”

David Beckham and Sven Goran Eriksson are still close, recently meeting in Sweden ( 
Image:
Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

Beckham’s selection also included a bottle of win from 1982, the year which Eriksson won the UEFA Cup as manager of IFK Goteborg, as well as one from 2000, when he led Italian giants Lazio to the Serie A title.

“He (Beckham) ate herring and potatoes and elk meat,” Eriksson continued. “The previous day he had sent a chef who fixed the food, and then he came and was here for a day, we sat chatting, a lot about football. It confirms, in a way, how great he is. He didn’t have to come here. I felt proud that he came.”