SVEN'S PAIN
Former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson, 75, reveals he has pancreatic cancer and has ‘at best a year to live’
Eriksson was in charge of the Three Lions’ Golden Generation, taking charge in 2001 and leaving in 2006
FORMER England manager Sven-Göran Eriksson has been diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer.
The 75-year-old told a Swedish radio station he has "at best a year" to live.
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He told 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 long as I can."
When 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 ex-Three Lions gaffer added: "You can't be absolutely sure. It is better not to think about it.
"But you can trick your brain. See the positive in things, don't wallow in adversity, because this is the biggest adversity of course, but make something good out of it."
Last February, Eriksson stepped down as sporting director at Karlstad Fotboll amid serious concerns about his health.
He told Karlstad's website at the time: "I have chosen to limit my public assignments for the time being, due to health problems which are under investigation."
Speaking to P1 about his diagnosis, Eriksson revealed he suddenly collapsed while going on a 5km run.
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After consulting doctors, he was told 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 Eriksson handed his international debut aged 17 in 2003 - has urged his former boss to "keep fighting".
The ex-Man Utd ace said: "Sad news this morning. Thoughts are with Sven Goran-Eriksson and his family.
"A brilliant coach and a special person. Loved and respected by everyone.
"We’re 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 said: "Everyone at Manchester City is thinking of Sven-Göran Eriksson, and we wish to express our collective support to our former Manager, and his family and friends, during this time."
Eriksson was in charge of the Three Lions’ Golden Generation, taking charge in 2001 and leaving in 2006.
He took England to the quarter-finals in two World Cups and a European Championship.
As well as 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 in 2022, Eriksson said he accepted England under-achieved 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 under the liver.
It has two main functions: dripping digestive enzymes into the gut 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 the disease that could be mistaken for another condition, or niggle, include persistent stomach ache, backache, indigestion, unexplained weight loss and bowel habit changes.
Other symptoms that might be more obvious include jaundice, difficulty swallowing and vomiting.
Patients may also suffer the symptoms of diabetes because pancreatic disease stops the production of insulin.
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 job came that year, when he decided against bringing in a mental coach to work with the players. Famously, England crashed out to Portugal in a penalty shootout.
During his stellar career, he has managed 16 sides across club and country- seeing him travel the globe in pursuit of work.
He started out in his native Sweden and made his name as a top coach during spells in Italy with Sampdoria and Lazio.
After stepping aside as England boss, Eriksson spent a year in charge of Manchester City before returning to the international stage for brief stints in control of Mexico and Ivory Coast.
An abortive spell in charge of Leicester followed before he left England in 2011 to spend four years working in the emerging Chinese Super League.
In that time he managed three separate clubs, the last being a year in charge of Shenzen which came to an end late in 2017.
He brought an end to his illustrious managerial career in 2019 after leaving his post as manager of the Philippines national team.
During his time as a football boss, Eriksson's love life was also put under the spotlight.
Fellow Swede Ulrika Jonsson, now 56, became romantically involved with Eriksson in 2002 when he had been in a relationship with Italian lawyer Nancy Dell’Olio since 1998.
Eriksson and Nancy, now 62, were later reunited, but he then had a fling with Football Association secretary Faria Alam, 57, and they split in 2007.
Diana Jupp, CEO of Pancreatic Cancer UK, said: "We are so sorry to hear that Sven has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and send him and his loved ones our very best wishes.
“This devastating disease is the deadliest common cancer in the UK.
"Tragically, only a quarter of people with pancreatic cancer live for a year after diagnosis.
"While significant improvements have been made in many types of cancer, 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.
"Pancreatic cancer’s symptoms – such as back-pain, indigestion, and changes to back pain – are common to many much less serious health conditions, so diagnosing it early, when it is most treatable, is a huge challenge for doctors.
"We desperately need an early detection test to give all patients the very best chance of survival.
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"A breath test trial funded by Pancreatic Cancer UK at Imperial College London is showing real promise, but we can’t transform the future for patients and their loved ones on our own.
“We need government to commit to investing £35 million in pancreatic cancer and prioritise a disease which has been overlooked for too long.”
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