Former England manager Sven Goran-Eriksson delivered an emotional message amid his terminal cancer diagnosis.
Eriksson had previously revealed in January that he had “best case case a year” to live having been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, ahead of a new documentary which is to be released on Amazon Prime tomorrow (23 August).
In this message, the former Three Lions boss said: “I hope you will remember me as a positive guy trying to do everything he could do”.
He continued: “Don’t be sorry, smile. Thank you for everything, coaches, players, the crowds, it’s been fantastic. Take care of yourself and take care of your life. And live it”.
“I had a good life”
Despite knowing what is around the corner for him, Sven Goran Eriksson spoke candidly about his life.
“I had a good life. I think we are all scared of the day when we die, but life is about death as well”, he said.
“You have to learn to accept it for what it is. Hopefully at the end people will say, ‘yeah, he was a good man’. But everyone will not say that”.
Sven Goran Eriksson’s tenure as England manager has also been marred by controversy, including affairs with Ulrika Jonsson, and FA secretary Faria Alam.
“I didn’t do anything criminal”, Eriksson stated when asked about his affair with Jonsson. “Sex is one of many good things in life for all of us”.
Back in January, Wayne Rooney who was handed his England debut by Eriksson aged 17, showed his support for his former manager.
Calling Eriksson a “brilliant coach and a special person”, Rooney wrote: “Sad news this morning”.
He added: “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”.
More on this from Nova here.
