Sven-Goran Eriksson was given a hero’s welcome as he attended a major gala event in Sweden, just weeks after revealing his cancer diagnosis.  

The terminally-ill former England football team manager dropped a bombshell on January 11 when he detailed that he may only have months left, declaring: ‘I have to fight as long as possible’.

But, 11 days on, the 75-year-old suited up to attend a gala event at the Friends Arena in Stockholm, where he was heralded as an ‘inspiration’.

‘Sven has always been a great source of inspiration,’ former Sweden national team captain Tommy Söderberg said, via Dagens Nyheter. 

‘With his innovative thinking and a new way of playing football, he has meant a lot to Swedish football. That’s why it feels extra nice that we get the chance to pay tribute to him for that,’ former Sweden national team goalkeeper Thomas Ravelli added.

He was invited on stage to address the crowd before awarding the Leader of the Year trophy.  

Sven-Goran Eriksson (right) was all smiles as he attended a major gala dinner in Sweden

Sven-Goran Eriksson (right) was all smiles as he attended a major gala dinner in Sweden

Sven-Goran Eriksson (right) was all smiles as he attended a major gala dinner in Sweden

The terminally-ill former England boss stunned the world of football with his cancer diagnosis

The terminally-ill former England boss stunned the world of football with his cancer diagnosis

The terminally-ill former England boss stunned the world of football with his cancer diagnosis

He got on stage to thank people for their well wishes before handing out on the main awards

He got on stage to thank people for their well wishes before handing out on the main awards

He got on stage to thank people for their well wishes before handing out on the main awards

He thinks he has at best a year to live but he is determined to enjoy what is left of his life

He thinks he has at best a year to live but he is determined to enjoy what is left of his life

He thinks he has at best a year to live but he is determined to enjoy what is left of his life

Eriksson fears he has a year to live or at ‘worst a little less’ after the bombshell diagnosis last year.

He said earlier this month: ‘Everyone understands that I have an illness that is not good. Everyone guesses it’s cancer and it is. But I have to fight as long as I can’.

When asked what the prognosis is, he told Sweden’s P1 radio station that he has ‘maybe at best a year, at worst a little less, or at best maybe even longer. You can’t be absolutely sure. It is better not to think about it’.

There had been speculation about his health after he stopped working as sporting director of Karlstad in his native Sweden. Today he revealed that he collapsed after a run last year and found out he was seriously ill, but is otherwise fit and healthy. 

He said: ‘It is not good. Everyone guessed it’s cancer and it is. But I have to fight as long as I can. 

‘But you can trick your brain. See the positive in things, don’t wallow in adversity, because this is the biggest adversity of course, but make something good out of it’.

But he was determined to wear a big smile as he donned a navy blue suit for the gala ceremony.  

Eriksson was hailed as an 'inspiration' during the night of the gala, as he was a special guest

Eriksson was hailed as an 'inspiration' during the night of the gala, as he was a special guest

Eriksson was hailed as an ‘inspiration’ during the night of the gala, as he was a special guest

The 75-year-old received numerous tributes with news of his diagnosis rocking Sweden

The 75-year-old received numerous tributes with news of his diagnosis rocking Sweden

The 75-year-old received numerous tributes with news of his diagnosis rocking Sweden

Sven told P1 that he had suddenly collapsed while going for a 5km run. 

After seeing his doctors, it turned out that Eriksson had suffered a stroke and also had cancer. 

He said: ‘They don’t know how long I had cancer, maybe a month or a year’.

In a glittering managerial career Sven was boss of IFK Gothenburg, Benfica, Roma, Roma, Fiorentina, Sampdoria, Lazio, Manchester City and Leicester City.

He was also manager of Mexico, Ivory Coast and the Philippines.

But while in charge of England for five years he became the most famous football manager in the world.

Between 2001 and 2006 he guided the so-called ‘golden generation’ of stars including David Beckham, Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard but never won the major trophy that was expected.

His tragic diagnosis came almost exactly 22 years after he resigned as Lazio manager earlier than expected to assume his coaching role with England. 

Sven with his former partner Nancy Dell'olio, pictured together at a gala event back in 2006

Sven with his former partner Nancy Dell'olio, pictured together at a gala event back in 2006

Sven with his former partner Nancy Dell’olio, pictured together at a gala event back in 2006

The football manager was England boss between 2001 and 2006. Sven pictured with David Beckham after dumped out of the 2006 World Cup by Portugal in the quarter final

The football manager was England boss between 2001 and 2006. Sven pictured with David Beckham after dumped out of the 2006 World Cup by Portugal in the quarter final

The football manager was England boss between 2001 and 2006. Sven pictured with David Beckham after dumped out of the 2006 World Cup by Portugal in the quarter final

Eriksson is determined to enjoy what is left of his life and that was evident in how much he enjoyed the gala dinner. 

But there is still plenty he would like to do.  

Eriksson recently admitted it would be his ‘dream’ to manage Liverpool during their upcoming Legends charity match against Ajax in March.

Supporters had asked for the former England boss to be given the chance to manage the club, after his terminal diagnosis was revealed.  

And former Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler subsequently stated that the ‘call had gone in‘ to put Eriksson in the dugout for the game. 

Eriksson, who admitted that he has around a year to live after being diagnosed with the illness, stated that as a Liverpool fan, he always wanted to manage the club

And speaking on Good Morning Britian on Monday, Eriksson was asked by the television program’s host, Suzannah Reid, whehter he knew that Liverpool supporters had asked for him to manage the side for the charity match and whether ‘that was something he would like to do?’

He responded: ‘No I didn’t know about that. I knew that they had a charity game. In March I think it is. And me and my son are invited to see that game. That might be great and there will be a lot of good football players there.

‘But that I should be their manager? No I’ve never heard that.’

Read More: World News | Entertainment News | Celeb News
Mail Online

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

You May Also Like

Julian Senior, Longtime Warner Bros. Publicity Executive in Europe, Dies at 85

Julian Senior, the veteran Warner Bros. marketing and publicity executive in Europe…

One College Football Player Has Signed More Than 70 NIL Deals — And You’ve Probably Never Heard Of Him

Just about a year ago, the NCAA announced that college players could…

T.J. Miller Says Ryan Reynolds Contacted Him Over “Misconstrued” Comments About ‘Deadpool’ Set

T.J. Miller says he and Ryan Reynolds have cleared the air after…

Exhausted hiker airlifted from Friendship Trail in Kaneohe

Honolulu firefighters rescued a fatigued hiker on the Friendship Trail in Kaneohe…