Wayne Rooney has shown his support for former England manager Sven Goran-Eriksson, who revealed that he has been diagnosed with terminal cancer.
Eriksson who managed England from 2001 to 2006, had left his recent role as sporting director at Swedish club Karlstad last year, due to health problems.
He managed the Three Lions in three major tournaments, where he guided them to the quarter finals of the 2002 and 2006 World Cups, as well as the last eight of Euro 2004.
“fight it”
Eriksson, 75, who also enjoyed successful spells managing Benfica, Roma, Lazio and Sampdoria, confirmed his terminal diagnosis in a recent interview.
Telling Swedish Radio P1 that he has “at best about a year to live”, Eriksson confirmed the unfortunate news.
“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 said.
“I know that in the best case it’s about a year, in the worst case even less. Or in the best case I suppose even longer. I don’t think the doctors I have can be totally sure, they can’t put a day on it”.
“It’s better not to think about it. 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”.
“It’s easy to end up in that position. But no, see the positive sides of things and don’t bury yourself in setbacks, because this is the biggest setback of them all of course”.
“special person”
Wayne Rooney who was given his England debut by Sven Goran-Eriksson in 2003, paid tribute to his former manager, hailing him as a “brilliant coach and a special person”.
Rooney who burst onto the scene following his performances at Euro 2004, posted this message via X, formerly known as Twitter.
“Sad news this morning,” Rooney wrote. “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”.
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 ❤️💪
— Wayne Rooney (@WayneRooney) January 11, 2024
Only Peter Shilton has more appearances for England than Rooney, and the former goalkeeper also paid tribute to Eriksson.
“Very sad news to hear of Sven’s illness,” he said. “He’s a real gentleman and a great manager”.
Rooney’s comments were echoed by the England national team who added that they are “sending our love to Sven”.
Other clubs also sharing their support, including Manchester City who said that they “wish to express our collective support to our former manager, and his family and friends, during this time”.
