Former England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson, 75, admits terminal cancer diagnosis was ‘very difficult to accept’ but ‘life goes on’ after he revealed he has ‘at best a year to live’
Former England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson has admitted that a terminal cancer diagnosis was very difficult for him and his family to accept.
Eriksson, 75, announced Thursday that he has “maybe a year at best” to live after his diagnosis.
His pancreatic cancer was picked up after he suffered ‘five mini strokes’ after collapsing after running a 5k run last year.
Eriksson, who managed England at three tournaments between 2001 and 2006, was TalkTV about how his family had reacted to the news.
He admitted that the diagnosis was difficult to accept, but stated that “life must go on.”
Eriksson (pictured this week) revealed he has terminal cancer and may have less than a year to live, but he refuses to feel sorry for himself
The football manager was England boss between 2001 and 2006. Sven pictured with David Beckham after being dumped out of the 2006 World Cup by Portugal in the quarter-final
“We have to deal with it because the alternative is to give up and sit at home alone,” Eriksson said.
‘The whole family, the children are of course grown up, one lives in Spain and one in Stockholm, so they come as often as they can.
‘We talk every day.
‘At first it was very difficult to accept it, but once you accept it, life goes on.
‘Life must go on.’
Eriksson’s two children had arranged for him to undergo tests after his collapse during the 5km run last year.
While he was told he would recover from the minor strokes, doctors then revealed the cancer diagnosis.
“Well, I thought I was completely healthy, but suddenly I had a stroke, small strokes, so I fell,” Eriksson told the newspaper. BBC.
Between 2001 and 2006 he managed the so-called ‘golden generation’ of stars including David Beckham, Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard, but never won the expected major trophy.
Wayne Rooney described Eriksson as a ‘brilliant coach and a special person’ and urged his former boss to ‘keep fighting’
Rooney was defended by Eriksson after his red card in the 2006 World Cup quarter-final against Portugal
John Terry and Steven Gerrard were among the former England stars to react to the news
‘My children took me to hospital and after a day of examination they told me that I had had five small strokes, but that’s OK, they said, no problem, you will recover 100 percent.
“But even worse, they said you have cancer that we cannot operate on and that we will give you treatment and medicine so that you will live as long as possible.”
Eriksson also spoke The Swedish P1 radio station, and said: ‘Everyone understands that I have a disease that is not good. Everyone suspects it’s cancer, and it is. But I have to fight as long as I can.”
When asked what the prognosis is, he added that he “may have a year at best, a little less at worst, or maybe even longer at best.” You can’t be completely sure. It’s better not to think about it’.
In a glittering managerial career, Sven was boss of IFK Göteborg, Benfica, Roma, Roma, Fiorentina, Sampdoria, Lazio, Manchester City and Leicester City.
He also managed Mexico, Ivory Coast and the Philippines.
But while in charge of England for five years, he became the most famous football manager in the world.
Between 2001 and 2006 he managed the so-called ‘golden generation’ of stars such as David Beckham, Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard, but never won the expected major trophy.
Several England players under Eriksson offered their support to their former manager following his announcement on Thursday.
Wayne Rooney, who was handed his England debut by Eriksson, said: ‘Thoughts are with Sven Goran Eriksson and his family. A brilliant coach and a special person. Loved and respected by all. We all support you Sven, keep fighting.’
Former England stars John Terry and Steven Gerrard, who became regulars during Eriksson’s time, were also among those to react to the news.
“Terribly sad news, thinking of you,” Terry wrote, while Gerrard posted “Stay strong gaffer.”
Danny Mills, part of England’s 2002 World Cup squad under Eriksson, referred in his message to England’s famous 5-1 win against Germany during the qualifying campaign.
“Incredibly sad news,” Mills wrote, adding “will always be remembered for this game.”