13 Facts About Nils Liedholm

Nils Liedholm was born on 8 October 1922 in Valdemarsvik, to parents Erik Fredrik Elias Nils Liedholm, the sawmill manager, and Anna Kajsa Lovisa Bergman.

In 1951, Nils Liedholm won the first of his four scudetto titles.

Famous for his passing abilities and tactical awareness, Nils Liedholm was the creator of many of Gunnar Nordahl's goals.

Nils Liedholm was one of the first players to realise the importance of fitness to a good performance.

Nils Liedholm was an intelligent playmaker who was renowned for his elegant style of play, excellent range of passing, and precise crossing ability throughout his career, as well as his vision and tactical awareness, which enabled him to dictate play patiently or create chances for teammates with the instep, the inside, or the outside of his boot.

Nils Liedholm possessed good technique, control, class, and an accurate shot, although he was known to be an unselfish team-player, who played with his head up and rarely undertook individual dribbles, and preferred to build attacks through movement and his slow passing game; moreover, he was an athletic footballer with a strong physique, who was known for his pace, fitness, and work-rate, which enabled him to cover a lot of ground and help out at both ends of the pitch.

Nils Liedholm stood out for his leadership qualities throughout his career, despite his reserved character, as well as his correct behaviour, having never once been booked during his time in Italy.

Nils Liedholm guided them to their tenth league title in 1979 before moving on to become the manager of Roma.

Nils Liedholm won the Coppa Italia three times with Roma, in 1980,1981 and 1984.

Former Parma manager Nevio Scala, who played under Nils Liedholm, was inspired by Nils Liedholm's calm approach as a coach.

Nils Liedholm was a bandy player in Valdemarsvik and the district team of Ostergotland when he was young.

Nils Liedholm was married to Maria Lucia "Nina" Gabotto di San Giovanni, a countess who could trace her ancestry back to the 900s.

Nils Liedholm died on 5 November 2007 in his home in Cuccaro Monferrato, Province of Alessandria, aged 85.