Sven-Goran Eriksson says he has “about a year” to live

(CNN) — Former England national team coach Sven-Goran Eriksson has publicly revealed that he is suffering from terminal cancer and has “about a year” to live, as he told Swedish radio station P1 on Thursday.

CNN previously learned from a source close to Erickson that he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

“Everyone can see that I have a disease that is not good, and everyone thinks it’s cancer, and it is. But I have to fight it as long as possible,” the Swede told P1, according to Reuters.

“I know it’s about a year at best, less at worst.”

“I don’t think the doctors I have can be absolutely sure, they can’t give it a day.”

In another interview with the BBC, Eriksson said he learned of his cancer diagnosis when he was admitted to hospital for “five small strokes”. He said he was told cancer was ineligible.

The veteran football coach is best known for his time as coach of the England national team.

Eriksen coached England’s so-called “Golden Generation” to two World Cups and one European Championship, working with stars such as David Beckham, Wayne Rooney, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Rio Ferdinand.

The Swede was the first foreign coach to coach the English team. Under Eriksen’s direction—at Euro 2004 and the 2006 World Cup—England were twice beaten by Portugal in penalty shootouts, both times in the quarter-finals.

Former England captain Rooney expressed his support for his former coach on Thursday.

“Sad news this morning. My thoughts are with Sven Goran-Eriksson and his family. A brilliant coach and a special person. Loved and respected by everyone. We are all with you Sven, keep fighting,” Public Rooney on X, formerly known as Twitter.

It was Eriksson who gave Rooney his England debut against Australia in 2003, when the Everton striker was just 17.

Eriksen also managed Lazio in Italy, Manchester City in England and coached in China, Mexico and the Philippines during a career spanning more than 40 years.

The Swede was the coach of the Mexican national team for a short period: from August 2008 to April 2009, during which time he was in charge of the Mexican team for 13 games.

Manchester City shipment Hats off to his former coach.

“Everyone at Manchester City is thinking of Sven-Goran Eriksson, and we would like to express our collective support for our former manager, his family and friends at this time,” the club said in X.