Former defender Micah Richards has paid an emotional tribute to his former manager Sven-Goran Eriksson.

The former England boss passed away on Monday after losing his battle with pancreatic cancer at the age of 76. 

Tributes were paid to Swede, who was a prolific manager across European football, around Premier League grounds on Saturday. 

Richards played under Eriksson at Manchester City and he revealed he 'shed a tear' upon hearing the news of his passing. 

Speaking on Sky Sports, Richards said: 'On the day it got announced he passed away I did actually shed a tear , I’m not afraid to say that. There’s a picture up there behind us , it emotion just seeing him there. 

'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 to bothered about your answer. He cared about absolutely everything. 

'In terms of the man, the most kindest person I’ve ever met, I’ll go as far as saying that. In terms of what he done 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.'

Richards continued to speak highly of Eriksson's ability as a manager as well as the man he was away from the pitch. 

The 36-year-old 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 give me that inspiration to enjoy myself, do the best I could do and I certainly played some of the best football of my career under him just because of the person that he was and the ability to be able to make me feel so great. 

'We always talk about footballers now, I’ve talked about Mancini’s with tough love and that worked at times but I think especially the modern player now they would love to have someone like Sven around because he’d just make you feel great.'

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. 

Eriksson previously took charge at City following his previous spell as England boss that 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.

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