Micah Richards Pays Emotional Tribute to Former Boss Sven-Goran Eriksson

Former defender Micah Richards has paid an emotional tribute to his former manager Sven-Goran Eriksson, who passed away after losing his battle with pancreatic cancer at the age of 76.

Richards, who played under Eriksson at Manchester City, revealed he “shed a tear” upon hearing the news of his passing. Speaking on Sky Sports, Richards said: “On the day it got announced, I did actually shed a tear. There’s a picture up there behind us, it’s just emotion seeing him there.”

Richards continued to speak highly of Eriksson’s ability as a manager, as well as the man he was away from the pitch. “Stuart Pearce gave me my debut, but the manager who really believed in me the most, gave me the confidence, he used to tell me ‘you’re one of the best defenders in England. Go out there and show everyone what you can do’.”

“If I was having a bad time, he would put his arm around me and really ask me what’s going on in your life. He was a manager who actually cared. There’s certain managers who you play under and they might ask you a question, but you know they’re not really bothered about your answer. He cared about absolutely everything.”

Richards added: “He was just a cheery character. I think he would always try to see the positive in absolutely everything that he did. He won’t want us to talk negatively about the situation now, he would want us to be positive because he was just a great human being and he saw life in a different way and sort of gave me that inspiration to enjoy myself, do the best I could do.”

Eriksson’s former club Manchester City were among those who paid tribute to him by observing an emotional minute’s applause before kick-off against West Ham.

Richards concluded: “He was the best manager I ever worked under, and I’ll go as far as saying that. In terms of what he did in football, it was great, but what he’ll be remembered for is the person that he was. It was a sad day when he passed.”

Eriksson previously took charge at City following his previous spell as England boss, which saw him lead the Three Lions to the quarter-finals at the World Cup and European Championship. He also managed Leicester City in England, along with spells in Italy managing the likes of Roma, Lazio, and Sampdoria in a legendary coaching career.

Micah Richards pays an emotional tribute to his former Man City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson following the Swede’s death aged 76 after cancer battle