FORMER England coach Sven-Göran Eriksson has been diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer.
The 75-year-old told Swedish radio that he had “at best a year” to live.
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Sven-Göran Eriksson, pictured this week, has been diagnosed with cancer Credit: Filip Bohm
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Eriksson, right, with David Beckham at the end of the 2006 World Cup quarter-finals Credit: AFP – Getty
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Eriksson at the FA headquarters in Soho Square, London in 2001. Credits: PA: Press Association
He said to P1: “Everyone understands that I have an illness that is not good.
“Everyone guesses it’s cancer and it is. But I have to fight as hard as I can.”
Asked about the prognosis, Eriksson said he has “maybe at best a year, at worst a little less, or at best maybe even longer.”
The decorated former Three Lions player added: “You can’t be absolutely sure. It’s better not to think about it.
More about Sven-Göran Eriksson
“But you can trick your brain. See the positive in things, don’t wallow in adversity, because this is the greatest adversity of course, but make something good out of it.”
Last February, Eriksson stepped down as sporting director of Karlstad Fotboll due to serious health concerns.
He told Karlstad’s website at the time: “I have decided to limit my public engagements for the time being due to health issues that are under investigation.”
Speaking to P1 about his diagnosis, Eriksson revealed that he suddenly collapsed while going for a 5km run.
After consulting with doctors, he was told that he had suffered a stroke and had incurable pancreatic cancer.
Eriksson said: “They don’t know how long I had cancer, maybe a month or a year”.
Wayne Rooney – who was given his international debut by Eriksson aged 17 in 2003 – urged his former boss to “keep fighting”.
The former Man Utd ace said: “Sad news this morning. Thoughts are with Sven Goran-Eriksson and his family.
“A brilliant coach and a special person. Everyone loved and respected him.
– We are all with you Sven, keep fighting.
Meanwhile, a social media post from the England football team read: “Sending our love, Sven.”
And a message from Manchester City on X read: “Everyone at Manchester City is thinking of Sven-Göran Eriksson and we want to express our collective support to our former manager, his family and friends, at this time.”
Eriksson was at the helm of the Golden Generation of the Three Lions, taking over in 2001 and leaving in 2006.
He led England to the quarter-finals of two World Cups and a European Championship.
In addition to Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard and Rio Ferdinand, Eriksson also had aces like Paul Scholes, David Beckham and Michael Owen at his disposal.
Speaking to SunSport 2022, Eriksson said he accepted England’s underachievement at the 2006 World Cup – reaching the quarter-finals in Germany.
What is pancreatic cancer?
PANCREATIC cancer is the tenth most common type of cancer in the UK and the fifth most common cause of cancer death, according to CRUK.
The disease affects a large gland that is part of the digestive system – the pancreas is located behind the stomach and below the liver.
It has two main functions: injecting digestive enzymes into the intestines to help break down food and releasing the hormones insulin and glucagon to regulate blood sugar.
Pancreatic cancer occurs when malignant – cancerous – cells form in the tissues of the pancreas.
Five signs of illness that can be mistaken for another condition or problem include persistent abdominal pain, back pain, indigestion, unexplained weight loss, and changes in bowel habits.
Other symptoms that may be more obvious include jaundice, difficulty swallowing, and vomiting.
Patients may also suffer from symptoms of diabetes because pancreatic disease stops insulin production.
The causes of the disease are not exactly known, but there are several risk factors that can make someone more likely to get the disease.
He said his biggest regret in the business that year was when he decided not to bring in a mental coach to work with the players. It is known that England was eliminated by Portugal in stoppage time.
During his stellar career, he managed 16 sides for club and country – seeing him travel the world in search of work.
He started in his native Sweden, and earned his name as a top coach in Italy for Sampdoria and Lazio.
After stepping down as England manager, Eriksson spent a year in charge of Manchester City before returning to the international scene and briefly managing Mexico and Ivory Coast.
An unsuccessful spell in charge of Leicester followed before he left England in 2011 and spent four years working in the nascent Chinese Super League.
At that time, he managed three separate clubs, and the last one was at the head of Shenzhen for a year, which ended at the end of 2017.
He ended his illustrious coaching career in 2019 after stepping down as coach of the Philippine national team.
During his time as football boss, Eriksson’s love life was also put under the spotlight.
Swedish Ulrika Jonsson, who is now 56 years old, began a romantic relationship with Eriksson in 2002 when he had been in a relationship with Italian lawyer Nancy Dell’Olio since 1998.
Eriksson and Nancy, now 62, later got back together, but he then had a relationship with Football Association secretary Faria Alam, 57, and they split in 2007.
Diana Jupp, chief executive of Pancreatic Cancer UK, said: “We are very sorry to hear that Sven has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and send him and his loved ones our best wishes.
“This devastating disease is the deadliest common cancer in the UK.
“Tragically, only a quarter of people with pancreatic cancer live a year after diagnosis.
“While significant improvements have been made in many cancers, there has been an unacceptable lack of progress in pancreatic cancer, where survival has barely improved in 50 years.
“Too little money has been invested in research into better, more effective treatments and early diagnosis.
“Symptoms of pancreatic cancer – such as back pain, indigestion and changes in back pain – are common to many much less serious medical conditions, so early diagnosis, when it can best be treated, is a major challenge for doctors.
“We desperately need an early detection test to give all patients the best chance of survival.
“The exhalation test funded by Pancreatic Cancer UK at Imperial College London is really promising, but we cannot change the future of patients and their loved ones alone.
“We need the government to commit to investing £35m into pancreatic cancer and prioritize a disease that has been neglected for too long.”
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Gareth Southgate and Eriksson during training ahead of the Group Seven qualifier for Euro 2003 Credit: Getty
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Steven Gerrard discusses tactics with Eriksson during the quarter-final match between England and Portugal at the 2006 World Cup in GermanyCredit: Getty
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Eriksson and his then-partner Nancy Dell’Olio in 2005. Credit: Getty
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