Sven-Goran Eriksson has received messages of support from a number of former England players, two months on from revealing his terminal pancreatic cancer diagnosis.
The 76-year-old announced back in January that he has 'maybe at best a year' to live.
"Everyone understands that I have an illness that is not good. Everyone guesses it's cancer, and it is," he told Swedish radio station P1. "But I have to fight as long as I can."
Advert
Eriksson, who will fulfil his lifelong dream of managing a Liverpool team at Anfield on Saturday – when a legends side take on Ajax – is currently undergoing treatment in Sweden.
And from his home in Sunne, he sat down with commentator Steve Bower to speak about life following his devastating terminal cancer diagnosis.
"You appreciate waking up in the morning and feeling well and normally you don't do that. You take it for granted," Eriksson said in the interview with Channel 4.
"In the beginning when you get the diagnosis coming from nowhere, it’s like a shock but after a while you learn to live with it."
He added: "Today I have a normal life and I am not thinking about what's going to happen tomorrow or the day after. Otherwise you sit down and think pity of yourself. No. Leave it.
Advert
"I don’t talk about it very much. It is what it is. I can’t beat it, probably. Anyhow, life is beautiful."
As well as speaking about his diagnosis, a number of players from England's 'Golden Generation' sent video messages of support to their former manager, including Paul Scholes and Steven Gerrard.
Owen Hargreaves, who was handed his England debut by Eriksson in 2001, looked incredibly emotional as he thanked Eriksson for the impact he had on his career.
"First of all, I just want to say thank you for everything you did for me throughout my career," Hargreaves said. "For believing in me when a lot of people didn't. You actually changed my life in so many ways."
Advert
He added: "I just want to say thank you. Your support meant so much to me. I just want to wish you all the best. Lots of love. Stay strong. And I'll hopefully get to see you soon."
You can watch the full video on Channel 4's YouTube channel below:
As mentioned earlier, Eriksson will join Liverpool's management staff for this weekend's legends game against Ajax. Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres, Daniel Agger and Dirk Kuyt will feature for the Reds.
Topics: Sven-Goran Eriksson, England, Paul Scholes, Gary Neville, Steven Gerrard, Owen Hargreaves
Jack Kenmare