Legendary football coach Sven-Goran Eriksson has revealed that he is suffering from terminal pancreatic cancer. The former coach previously became the first foreign coach to manage the England team. After leaving the Three Lions in 2026, the Swede went on to manage Manchester City, Leicester City and numerous other national teams.
During an interview with the BBC, Eriksson claimed that the illness was discovered after he went to the hospital for another problem. “I thought I was completely healthy, but suddenly I had a small stroke, I fell and my children took me to the hospital,” Eriksson told the media outlet. “After a day of examination, they told me I had had five small strokes, but they said, ‘No problem, you’ll make a 100% recovery.’”
“But the worst thing is that they said I have cancer and they can’t operate on me. They said they will give me treatment and medication to try to live as long as possible. “I have that diagnosis and unfortunately they cannot operate.”
“When you get a message like that, you value every day and you’re happy when you wake up in the morning and you feel good, so that’s what I’m doing.”
The Swede has had a long and impressive coaching career.
Before leading England to the 2002 and 2006 World Cups, the Swede began his coaching career with Degerfors in 1977. He then moved to Gothenburg two years later, where he eventually won the Swedish title, two Swedish Cups and the UEFA Cup. UEFA 1981.
Following triumphs in his native country, Eriksson moved on to some of Europe’s top clubs in the early 1980s. The manager took over at Benfica before spending much of the next 17 years of his career in Italy. He was hired to manage Roma in 1984 and then spent spells at Fiorentina, Sampdoria and Lazio. Eriksson left the latter club to coach the Three Lions.
After a series of stops in China, Eriksson completed his impressive coaching career with the Philippine national team. The veteran coach finally left the team in January 2019. He has since been retired from the bench.
Sven-Goran Eriksson claims to lead a normal life despite cancer
Unfortunately, Eriksson has stated that cancer is essentially untreatable. In the interview, the former coach admitted that he has been given a serious diagnosis. According to the Swede, he may only have a year to live. This is also the best case scenario.
Despite the terrible news, Eriksson has proclaimed that his daily routine remains fairly normal. “I live a totally normal life,” the coach continued. “I’m not in the hospital. I visit from time to time, but I live at home and have friends here. “At Christmas and New Year’s the whole family was here, a lot of people.”
“I’m going to go out and try to do as much exercise as possible, which is less than a year ago, but I lead a normal life.”
Upon hearing the unfortunate news, former England captain Wayne Rooney issued a moving statement about the manager. “Sad news this morning. My thoughts are with Sven-Goran Eriksson and his family,” Rooney on X. “A brilliant coach and a special person. Loved and respected by all. We are all with you Sven, he keeps fighting.”
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