Ex-England and Shanghai coach Sven-Goran Eriksson diagnosed with terminal cancer

It's been quite a while since the football community caught wind of Sven-Goran Eriksson's whereabouts. As the old adage suggests, no news is good news, and silence can often be interpreted as a positive sign. 

Sadly, that tranquility was shattered on Thursday night when the revered 75-year-old Swede, renowned for his successful coaching stints with various European giants and Chinese Super League powerhouses, unveiled a somber revelation. He has received a terminal cancer diagnosis, and in the most favorable scenario, he has approximately one year left to live.

"Everyone can see that I have a disease that's not good, and everyone supposes that it's cancer, and it is," Eriksson candidly shared with Swedish Radio P1. "Nevertheless, I am determined to fight it for as long as I possibly can. The best-case scenario, according to medical professionals, gives me around a year, and in the worst-case scenario, even less... But the doctors cannot provide an exact date."

The cancer diagnosis came to light after Eriksson unexpectedly collapsed, following a five-kilometer run he had completed the day before. It was during this time that he was also informed of having suffered a stroke.  

"It's better not to dwell on it," he added. "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.

Eriksson catapulted to fame in the early 1980s when he led IFK Gothenburg to UEFA Cup glory. This triumph paved the way for brilliant managerial spells at formidable clubs such as Benfica, Roma, Fiorentina, and Sampdoria. Notably, he steered Lazio to their second Serie A title in 2000.  

Eriksson then became the first non-British manager of England in 2001. Under his guidance, the Three Lions boasted a star-studded roster including iconic players like David Beckham, Frank Lampard, and Wayne Rooney. Eriksson's tenure witnessed historic moments, such as the memorable 5-1 victory against Germany in Munich and consecutive quarterfinal appearances in the 2002 and 2006 World Cups.

Following his stint with England, Eriksson embarked on a diverse coaching journey, taking charge of teams like Manchester City, Leicester City, and Mexico. However, it was in the Far East where he left his mark. From 2013 to 2017, he ventured to China, managing Shanghai SIPG, Guangzhou R&F, and Shenzhen FC. 

Despite not securing a major trophy during his tenure, Eriksson earned admiration for his tactical versatility and magnetic charisma. His coaching endeavors extended even further, as he took the reins of the Philippines in 2018, marking his most recent coaching role.

The news of Eriksson's diagnosis sparked an outpouring of support from the football world. England took to social media, expressing their love for Sven with a heartfelt message. Wayne Rooney, former England captain also shared his thoughts, describing Eriksson as a brilliant coach and a remarkable individual. Rooney emphasized the widespread love and respect Eriksson commands, assuring him of everyone's solidarity and encouragement in his fight. "We're all with you Sven," he said.

Manchester City, which Eriksson had previously managed, conveyed their collective support to "our former manager, and his family and friends, during this time."