Sven-Goran Eriksson told fans to ‘smile’ and ‘don’t be sorry’ in his final message before his death was confirmed on Monday. The former England manager has died aged 76 after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

Last week, Eriksson appeared in a documentary about his life, career and his illness. He gave fans a final message before bidding farewell.

The Swedish coach said in Sven, which aired on Amazon Prime, when asked what his message would be to those watching: “Don’t be sorry… smile.”

Eriksson also discussed how he wanted to be remembered after his death. He hoped people remembered him as a ‘good man’ but accepted there would be people who do not share that view.

“I had a good life, yes,” Eriksson said. “I think we all are scared of the day when it’s finished, when we die. But the life is about death as well. You have to learn to accept it, of what it is.”

He continued: “Hopefully at the end, people will say, ‘Yeah, he was a good man’. But everyone will not say that.

“I hope you will remember me as a positive guy trying to do everything he could do. Don’t be sorry. Smile. Thank you for everything – coaches, players, the crowd. It’s been fantastic. Take care of yourself, and take care of your life, and live it. Bye.”

Eriksson was appointed as England boss in 2001 and oversaw three tournaments, including the 2002 and 2006 World Cup campaigns. The Three Lions reached the quarter-final of both competitions, in addition to the 2004 European Championship.

He had previously enjoyed a successful career coaching in Europe, winning several league titles among his 18 trophies. That included Serie A with Lazio in the year before he was appointed as England manager by the Football Association.

Eriksson remains held in high regard at Lazio and he visited earlier this year during a tour of some of his former clubs. He was also given the opportunity to coach a Liverpool legends’ team at Anfield, having grown up as a Reds fan during his childhood.

After his time as England manager came to an end following the 2006 World Cup, Eriksson spent a year in charge of Manchester City and was briefly sporting director at Notts County. He later managed Leicester and steered them safely away from Championship relegation in 2011.