In January, former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson revealed that he only has one year left to live due to his pancreatic cancer. The first time this news spread was when he collapsed, a day after doing a five-kilo run routine.
This generation knows Eriksson best for his managerial career with England from 2001 to 2006. But his tactician status had been established long before that. Benfica, Roma, Lazio, and Fiorentina are among the clubs he had managed in the past.
Also Read: Real Madrid submit genuine interest in Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite
England’s Golden Generation send tributes to Sven-Goran Eriksson
Responding to Eriksson’s announcement, some of his former players from England’s ‘golden generation’ sent beautiful tributes. The likes of Steven Gerrard, Joe Cole, and Paul Scholes said their words to the former boss.
“I just wanted to send you my best wishes, send you my love and support,” said the former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard through a video. “I’ve been thinking about you a lot lately and I’m really looking forward to seeing you next week as you’re the gaffer at Anfield.
“It will be really special. I’m just trying to get the body in good condition so I can last the 90 minutes!”
Eriksson would lead the Liverpool Legends team in a charity match against Ajax at Anfield this weekend. Another former Liverpool midfielder, Joe Cole, reminisced about his old days playing under Eriksson’s supervision.
“I just wanted to wish you all the very best and say thank you for all the memories and all the help in my career, making my dream come true playing for England at a World Cup twice,” Cole said. “I remember I scored against Northern Ireland and you came over after the game and said to me with a glass of wine or champagne in your hand, “finally, you’ve become a complete player.”
Former Manchester United and England midfielder Paul Scholes also wished for the best on Eriksson. He described his time playing for England with Eriksson as a happy moment for him.
“’I just wanted to say it was an absolute pleasure to play for England for you,” he said. ”Obviously we should have won something and done a little bit better than I actually did for you but I just wanted to say: ‘Hello Sven, I hope you’re doing OK and all the best for the recovery.”
Sven-Goran Eriksson takes things positively
The 76-year old Swedish is now undergoing treatments in his home country Sweden. Despite realising his time will not be longer, he tried to live positively, affirming that he was ‘okay’.
“The doctor is saying I’m not okay, but I feel rather okay,” Eriksson told CNN Sport. “I have what I have, so I know that it’s a cancer and you can’t cure it. You have to try to stop it as much as possible. That’s it. But I’m okay.”