Sven-Goran Eriksson has been given “maybe at best a year” to live after discovering he has terminal cancer. The
former England manager disclosed the news on a Swedish radio station, stating he is not in discomfort but the
condition is not operable. Eriksson made history as England’s first foreign manager, leading the Three Lions to three
straight major quarter-finals between 2001 and 2006.
Sven-Goran Eriksson, the former England manager, has disclosed that he has terminal cancer and has “maybe at
best a year” to live.
The 75-year-old announced the news on Swedish radio station P1, claiming he was not “in any major pain” but that
his condition was not operable.
“Everyone sees that I have a bad disease, and everyone assumes that it is cancer, which it is. But I have to fight it for
as long as possible,” Eriksson stated.
“I know it’ll be about a year at best, and even less in the worst-case scenario. Or, in the best-case scenario, much
longer. I don’t believe my doctors can provide a definitive answer.It’s best to avoid thinking about it. You need to
deceive your brain. I could go about thinking about it all the time, sit at home being unhappy and thinking I’m
unfortunate, and so on. It’s simple to end up in such situation.But, instead, look at the bright side of things and don’t
get bogged down by setbacks, because this is, of course, the largest one of them.
“It just came from nowhere. “And you’re shocked.”I’m not experiencing any significant pain. But I have been
diagnosed with a sickness that allows you to slow down but not function. So that’s what it is.
Eriksson became England’s first foreign manager in 2001, succeeding Peter Taylor. He stayed in charge until 2006,
when he guided the Three Lions to three consecutive quarter-finals.
After retiring from football in 1975 at the age of 27, he began his coaching career in Sweden before being hired by
Benfica following his UEFA Cup victory with IFK Goteborg.
Eriksson led Benfica to consecutive victories in the 1980s before moving to Italy to play for Roma, Fiorentina,
Sampdoria, and Lazio.
Eriksson won the domestic double with Lazio, which put him on the FA’s radar, and he took over as national team
manager in January 2001.
That David Beckham free-kick clinched England’s qualification for the 2002 World Cup, Eriksson’s first big event as
manager, where they were defeated by Brazil in the quarter-finals.
He guided England to the final eight at Euro 2004 and the 2006 World Cup, but lost to Portugal in penalty shootouts
both times.
