Sven-Göran Eriksson led IFK Göteborg to victory in the Uefacup in 1982.
But it took a few years before the successes, which made "Svennis" one of the club's greatest of all time, came.
I remember that in the beginning, it was close to him getting fired, but then everything turned around and it just rolled on. He is huge here, of course, says long-time "Blåvitt" supporter Gjert Jönsson.
He and friend Pelle Karlsson remember "Svennis" time in the club well.
Yes, of course, we do. We were, for example, down at the final in Hamburg, says Gjert Jönsson.
"Meant incredibly much"
After his time in Göteborg, a long coaching career abroad followed.
He kind of disappeared from view then, but you still followed him in Benfica and Lazio and then as national coach for England. That was just huge. It's completely incredible, says Gjert Jönsson.
The two friends are on their way to watch tonight's Superettan match between Örgryte and Degerfors – another of "Svennis" old clubs.
— He and Tord Grip, whom he had as a companion, have meant incredibly much for Swedish football, says Pelle Karlsson.
I also support Degerfors and there he is huge too. And of course also in Torsby. He is one of the greatest coaches we've had in Sweden.
"Proud as a Swede"
Lisa Fothergill is the store manager for IFK Göteborg's supporter shop Blåvittshopen at Gamla Ullevi. "Svennis" significance for Swedish football has been enormous, she states.
I lived in England when he was national coach there, then you were very proud as a Swede, she says.
Then when I started working for "Blåvitt" in 2009, I got pretty direct clarity on everything he did for the club. Many in Europe know IFK Göteborg thanks to his fantastic achievements. So he has meant incredibly much.
