The head coach of Leicester City nearly committed suicide because of his wife’s serious health issue.

The head coach of Leicester City nearly committed suicide because of his wife’s serious health issue.

Leading England reached the quarterfinals of the 2002 and 2006 World Cups as well as the 2004 Euros, the 75-year-old Swede was the first foreign coach to oversee the team.

“I’ll fight as long as I can,” Eriksson declared to Swedish Radio P1.

My condition is really serious. Best case scenario is a year, worst case scenario is far less. It is preferable to avoid thinking about it as it is impossible to say precisely.”

Having worked in management for 42 years, Eriksson learnt of his cancer diagnosis “almost one year ago” and resigned from his most recent position as sporting director at Swedish club Karlstad 11 months ago due to health concerns.

Sporting Witness on BBC World Service was told by Eriksson, “I live a totally normal life.”

“I live at home and have pals here; I don’t visit hospitals often. Every member of the family was here for Christmas and New Year’s.

“I have a regular life and go out to try and exercise as much as I can, which is less than it was a year ago.

“I’m doing that since, when you receive a message like that, you start to enjoy every day and are delighted when you wake up in the morning and feel well.

“I fainted after having a little stroke and my kids drove me to the hospital even though I believed I was perfectly well.

“They told me I had five little strokes after one day of inspection, but they also assured me that you will recover 100% from that. Worse, they told me I had cancer that they could not operate on.

“They assured me that they will try to prolong my life by providing me with medication. They can’t operate with that diagnosis, regrettably.”

Before joining fellow Swedes Gothenburg, where he won the 1981 Uefa Cup, two Swedish cups, and the Swedish crown, Eriksson started his coaching career at Degerfors in 1977.

After that, he spent two seasons with the Portuguese powerhouse Benfica and the Italian teams Roma, Fiorentina, Sampdoria, and Lazio, winning seven championships including the Serie A title, two Italian Cups, and the Uefa Cup Winners’ Cup.

Sven-Goran Eriksson discusses the reception to his appointment as the first foreign coach of England
Historical England appointment Eriksson left Lazio in January 2001 to take over as manager of England from Kevin Keegan.

With Michael Owen scoring a hat-trick, Eriksson guided the Three Lions to a historic 5-1 victory over Germany in Munich during the 2002 World Cup qualifying.

During his two World Cup campaigns, Eriksson saw Brazil defeat England 2-1 in the 2002 tournament and Portugal win on penalties after Wayne Rooney was sent off for a fight with Cristiano Ronaldo of Manchester United. Eriksson left both tournaments in the quarterfinals.

His last trip to a European Championship was in 2004 when Portugal once more sent England home with a penalty shootout victory in the round of eight.

With two years remaining on his contract, Eriksson was to depart his position after a five-year tenure, it was revealed in January 2006.

Although the Swede had been under pressure after being exposed in a newspaper sting by a tabloid journalist, no formal cause was stated for his resignation at the time.

Scandal surrounding his personal life dogged his years as England manager; in 2002, newspapers revealed relationships with television presenter Ulrika Jonsson, and in 2004, with former Football Association secretary Faria Alam.

England wrote on X, “Sending our love, Sven,” while former captain Wayne Rooney added, “Sad news this morning. We are thinking of Sven Goran-Eriksson and his family. An exceptional person and a great coach. Everybody loved and respected him. We all stand with you, Sven; never give up.”

After leaving England, Eriksson pursued a varied managing career, working for national teams Mexico, Ivory Coast, and the Philippines in addition to stints with Manchester City and Leicester City.