Sven-Goran Eriksson Discloses Cancer Diagnosis, Indicates One Year Life Expectancy in “Optimistic Outcome”

Sven-Goran Eriksson, the former England football manager, has revealed that he has cancer and, under the most optimistic circumstances, may have only a year to live. The 75-year-old, known for leading England to the quarter-finals in both the 2002 and 2006 World Cup finals, stepped down from his position at Swedish club Karlstad last year due to health issues.

During an interview with Swedish Radio P1, Eriksson acknowledged his illness, stating, “Everyone can see that I have a disease that’s not good, and everyone supposes that it’s cancer, and it is. But I have to fight it as long as possible.” He mentioned that, according to the doctors, the best-case scenario gives him about a year, though they cannot be certain of the exact timeframe.

Eriksson’s tenure as England manager was marked by impressive on-field performances, though it was not without its share of controversies off the field. His illustrious managerial career also included stints with clubs like Benfica, AS Roma, and Manchester City, spanning over four decades.

Eriksson expressed his determination to stay positive despite the diagnosis, saying, “You have to trick your brain. I could go around thinking about that all the time and sit at home and be miserable and think I’m unlucky and so on.” He emphasized the importance of looking at the brighter side of things and not dwelling on setbacks, even though this is undoubtedly a significant challenge for him. Eriksson noted that while he is not experiencing major pain, his condition is one that can be slowed but not cured through surgery, accepting the reality of his situation with a degree of resignation.