Former Lazio coach Sven-Goran Eriksson revealed that he’s been diagnosed with cancer and has ‘a year or even more’ left as he looks to remain positive.
The 75-year-old Swede found success in Italy in the 1990s, spending five years in charge at Sampdoria before guiding Lazio to the multiple honours including their second ever Scudetto in the 1999-2000 season.
Eriksson most recently worked as the sporting director of Swedish third tier side IF Karlstad, where he resigned in February of last year due to unexplained health issues.
Speaking to Swedish radio outlet P1 via Calciomercato.com, Eriksson discussed his health issues and ongoing battle with cancer.
“Everyone understood that I wasn’t well, they imagined it was cancer and it is. I have to fight as long as I can. In the best case scenario, a year or even more, at worst even less. In reality no one can be sure for sure, it’s better not to think about it.
“You can somehow trick your brain, think positively and see things in the best way, don’t get lost in adversity, because this is obviously the biggest of all, but still get something good out of this experience.
“I suddenly collapsed while I was running a five-kilometre run. After a medical consultation I discovered that I had had a stroke and that I already had a tumour. I don’t know how long, maybe a month, maybe a year.”
During his coaching career, Eriksson oversaw 437 matches in Serie A for Lazio, Sampdoria, Fiorentina and Roma. He picked up 196 wins and 127 draws, collecting 715 points in total.
His list of honours includes a Scudetto, a UEFA Super Cup, four Coppa Italia titles and two Supercoppa Italiana, bringing trophies to Sampdoria and Roma as well as Lazio.