SVEN-GORAN ERIKSSON, who took charge of the Three Lions between 2001 and 2006, tragically revealed that he had been diagnosed with a terminal illness.
The former England manager is the subject of an Amazon Prime documentary to be released in August 2024 — so what do we know about his diagnosis?
The Swede, 76, made it known in January 2024 that he was battling pancreatic cancer.
Speaking at the time, Sven said that doctors were not able to operate on the cancer and had given him “about a year” to live.
However, he has since admitted that medics are not able to give him a more definitive answer on how long he has left.
“Does that worry me?” he wrote in his Telegraph column. “I think it’s better not to know.”
His illness was discovered after his children took him to hospital for a separate health scare.
“I thought I was fully healthy but suddenly I had a small stroke so I fell and my children took me to the hospital,” he said.
Doctors examined Sven and found that he had suffered not one but five small strokes.
While they were confident that he would recover from these, they were reportedly left in tears upon discovering the non-operable cancer.
Since learning of the terminal nature of his condition, Sven has been spending time at his home in Sunne with his family.
The ex-England manager has spoken candidly about his diagnosis during the development of the Amazon Prime documentary ‘Sven’.
“I’m sort of scared. It takes time, a little bit of time before you can accept it. I’m still here.”
“They said they will give me treatment and medicine to try and live as long as possible.”
He added: “On a day-to-day basis it’s a little bit up and down. Some mornings I wake up feeling totally perfect. Well almost, and the other mornings it’s a problem. But the good days are still here and I am fine.”
Despite acknowledging the hardships, Sven has faced his battle with cancer with a positive attitude.
I hope you will remember me as a positive guy trying to do everything he could do. Don’t be sorry, smile.
Sven-Goran Eriksson
“You usually find that everybody talks well about people when they are dead. I am lucky that they talk well about me while I am alive.”
Speaking to viewers of the film, he said: “I had a good life. I think we are all scared of the day when we die, but life is about death as well.”
“I hope you will remember me as a positive guy trying to do everything he could do. Don’t be sorry, smile.”
Delivering a poignant final message to the cameras, the football legend said: “Thank you for everything, coaches, players, the crowds, it’s been fantastic. Take care of yourself and take care of your life. And live it. Bye.”
Sven’s two children, Lina and Johan, have also opened up about their father’s condition.
Speaking about the day that he went to the hospital, Johan said: “I had 10 missed calls from my sister, ‘Dad’s in the emergency room’.
“He’s not in a good way. You can kind of tell when the doctor’s in tears that… not good. Worst possible news.”
Lina added: “We found out that he had had five strokes and then you go into a state of fear. A panic mode.”
As well as his family members, former England players David Beckham and Wayne Rooney — who were managed by Sven — have paid tribute to him in the documentary.
‘Sven’ is released on Friday, August 23, 2024 on Amazon Prime.
AS Sven-Goran Eriksson bravely continues to battle cancer, SunSport takes a look at his remarkable managerial career...
PROMISING START
It began in Sweden in 1977 where he won the third division with Degerfors, before he joined Gothenburg and won two Swedish Cups and the Uefa Cup.
He then took over at Benfica in 1982 and spent two seasons with the Portuguese giants where he won back-to-back league titles.
INCREDIBLE ITALIAN SUCCESS
Stints followed in Italy with Roma and Fiorentina, but he returned to Benfica in 1989 and reached the European Cup final before losing to AC Milan.
Eriksson claimed a third league title with Benfica the following year, leaving in 1992 for Sampdoria.
He spent five seasons with the Serie A side, winning the Copa Italia in 1994.
Eriksson then added another two Coppa Italias to his trophy cabinet with Lazio across a four-year spell.
ENGLAND APPOINTMENT
Then came the England job in 2001 where he spent five years at the helm of the national side.
He reached the quarter-finals of World Cup 2002, losing 2-1 to eventual winners Brazil.
England then suffered back-to-back eliminations at the hands of Portugal at Euro 2004 and World Cup 2006.
PREMIER LEAGUE SPELLS
After leaving the Three Lions following his third major tournament, he spent one season at Manchester City.
Spells followed at Mexico, Ivory Coast and Leicester, before he moved to China where he coached three clubs across a four-year period.
His last managerial stint came for the Philippines national team, a position he held from October 2018 to January 2019.
MAJOR HONOURS
Portugal League title x 3 (Benfica 82/83, 83/84, 90/91)
Copa Italia x 4 (Roma 85/86, Sampdoria 93/94, Lazio 97/98, 99/00)
Serie A title (Lazio 99/00)
Uefa Cup Winners’ Cup (Lazio 98/99)
Uefa Super Cup (Lazio 99)
BBC Sports Personality Coach of the Year (England 2001)
