Former England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson has heartbreakingly opened up on his terminal illness.
Eriksson, 76, revealed in January that he had pancreatic cancer and is approaching the end of his life, with a ‘best case’ scenario seeing him only have a year left to live.
The Swede enjoyed a hugely successful managerial career, coaching the likes of Benfica, Lazio, Man City, Leicester City and Roma, while he also led England between 2001 and 2006 and was the first ever foreign coach to be in charge of the Three Lions.
He remains hugely popular in the UK and has received a significant outpouring of love and support since his terminal cancer diagnosis.
And, Eriksson provided an update on his health this week from his native Sweden, where he is choosing to remain positive.
Ex-England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson has heartbreakingly opened up on his terminal illness
Eriksson (pictured with partner Yaniseth Alcides) revealed in January he had pancreatic cancer and is approaching the end of his life, with a ‘best case’ scenario seeing him have a year left
Eriksson led England from 2001 to 2006, but failed to take the ‘Golden Generation’ to glory
‘So far, I’m a healthy sick man,’ he told The Guardian. ‘Sometimes (dying) it goes through your head, but I try not to think of it. To say no to that (being afraid of dying), I would guess, it’s a lie.
‘Of course you appreciate everything (more now). Also small things like friends saying in passing, “Are you free for a cup of coffee?” “Yes of course, come in.” And we sit talking about old memories on the football pitch. So I appreciate small things much more than I did.’
Eriksson – who completed a lifelong dream to manage Liverpool at Anfield by taking charge of a legends game in April – also claimed he appreciates his family more now, which includes partner Yaniseth Alcides, who he has been with for 16 years.
The 76-year-old is most famous for his time in charge of England, but despite coaching what was dubbed a ‘Golden Generation’, he was unable to lead the Three Lions to glory.
At the 2002 and 2006 World Cups, along with Euro 2004, England were knocked out at the quarter-final stage as Eriksson struggled to cultivate a successful team, amid a myriad of club divides within the squad.
Nevertheless, Eriksson won 40 of his 67 games in charge and enjoyed subsequent international stints with Mexico, Ivory Coast and the Philippines.
Having coached England, the 76-year-old is therefore a man who knows the exact pressures of what the job brings.
With Gareth Southgate having left the role after Euro 2024, England Under 21s boss Lee Carsley was placed in interim charge on Friday, but there remains significant speculation over who will take the job on a permanent basis.
However, Eriksson admitted that he is worried for whoever gets the role and claimed that he actually ‘feels sorry’ for them.
Despite his lack of success, Eriksson is popular in England and has received much support
The former Three Lions boss admitted he ‘feels sorry’ for whoever replaces Gareth Southgate
‘Think of the pressure the new manager will have on his shoulders,’ he added. ‘Southgate – two finals, one semi-final, and that’s not good enough for the English. So the next one has to win. Everything else is a failure.
‘I feel sorry for whoever comes in. If he doesn’t win a big tournament, he will be criticised – and the players, of course. It will be a brave man who takes on that job.’
Despite everything he is faced with, Eriksson remained philosophical when looking forward and admitted how he simply appreciates ‘waking up and feeling good and alive’.
‘The only thing we know is we’re all going to die sooner or later,’ he said. ‘Hopefully later.’