Former England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson has sent a poignant message to fans in an emotional documentary on his life.
The 76-year-old was diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer in January and revealed that he had ‘best case a year’ left to live.
A touching film about him and his life is set to be released on Amazon Prime on August 23 where he details his ‘good life’, telling fans: “Don’t be sorry, smile.”
Despite the legendary football manager’s tragic situation, Eriksson has revealed he has felt an inner calm.
Sven-Goran Eriksson has told fans: “Don’t be sorry, smile”
PA
“My wife, ex-wife, asked can’t you do something else? You never get to see the children,” he said.
“And that was true. But that is football – that is how it is and how it should be.
“I hope you will remember me as a positive guy trying to do everything he could do.
“Don’t be sorry, smile. Thank you for everything, coaches, players, the crowds, it’s been fantastic.
“Take care of yourself and take care of your life. And live it. Bye!”
Eriksson is best remembered for his time in charge of England, becoming the first foreign coach to manage the Three Lions when he was appointed in 2001.
He ultimately led England to three quarter-finals in two World Cups and one European Championship.
The Swede was in the dugout for five years before leaving after the 2006 World Cup.
Having also coached Manchester City and Leicester, Eriksson revealed the heartbreaking news that he was diagnosed with terminal cancer in January.
He told Swedish Radio P1: “Everyone can see that I have a disease that’s not good, and everyone supposes that it’s cancer, and it is. But I have to fight it as long as possible.
Sven-Goran Eriksson revealed in January he had at best a year to live
PA
“It’s pancreatic – you can’t operate on it. It can be slowed.
“I know that in the best case it’s about a year, in the worst case even less. Or in the best case I suppose even longer.
“I don’t think the doctors I have can be totally sure, they can’t put a day on it.
Sven-Goran Eriksson is best remembered for his time in charge of England
PA
“It’s better not to think about it. You have to trick your brain. I could go around thinking about that all the time and sit at home and be miserable and think I’m unlucky and so on.
“It’s easy to end up in that position. But no, see the positive sides of things and don’t bury yourself in setbacks, because this is the biggest setback of them all of course.”