Swedish Sven-Goran Eriksson, former coach of the England national football team, announced on Thursday that he has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and that he has "perhaps one year" left to live.
Eriksson, 75, who oversaw several clubs and national teams, and twice led England to the quarterfinals of the World Cup in 2002 and 2006, revealed in February 2023 that he would be withdrawing from public appearances due to health issues.
Speaking to the Swedish national radio, he stated, "Everyone knows that I am suffering from a bad disease. Everyone believes it's cancer, and it is. But I must fight for as long as possible."
He noted that his doctor informed him he has "one year at best (to live) or slightly less in the worst-case scenario." He added, "You have to deceive your brain."
Eriksson began his coaching career in 1977 after playing as a defender. He took charge of local team Degerfors, achieving success in lower leagues before moving to his home club Gothenburg, where he won the league title twice and the UEFA Cup.
The Swede mentioned, "I can think about it (the disease) all the time, sit at home and get depressed, feeling unlucky and such. I think it's easy to end up like that."
However, he continued, "You have to see the positives." He further advised, "Do not bury yourself because of hardships. This is certainly the biggest hardship, but try to get the positives from it."
His accomplishments caught the attention of larger clubs, and he later switched between prominent clubs such as Benfica of Portugal (twice), and Roma, Fiorentina, Sampdoria, and Lazio in Italy, before taking on the role of coaching the England national team.
Eriksson became the first foreign manager to lead the "Three Lions," before continuing his career managing Manchester City and Leicester City in England, as well as the national teams of Mexico, Ivory Coast, the Philippines, and clubs in China.
The Swede won the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup with Lazio (1999) and the league title (1999-2000), the Italian Cup four times (once with each of Roma and Sampdoria), and both the Italian Super Cup and the European Super Cup.
