Terminally-ill Sven-Goran Eriksson hopes to be well enough to watch England's match against Brazil live in two months' time, revealing he has one wish he has never been able to fulfill in his life. The 75-year-old former England manager, who has pancreatic cancer and admitted he has at most a year to live, spoke to Sky Sports News' Niall Patterson and said he wants to be as healthy as possible during this time. Eriksson said he intends to watch England play Brazil on March 23 at "Wembley".
Asked how he wants to spend his remaning time, he said: "Travelling, still watching a lot of football. I'm hoping to go to England and watch the national team's game against Brazil in March. Great match, preparation for the World Cup, because this could also be the final of the World Cup in 2026".
Since revealing his diagnosis on Thursday, Eriksson said he had received "many messages and phone calls" from former colleagues and players he coached, including from his days as manager of the Three Lions. With him at the helm during his five-year stint England reached three consecutive major quarter-finals - the 2002 and 2006 World Cups and the 2004 European Championships.
However, when asked if there was a job he regretted not taking, he singled out Liverpool. "My dad is still a Liverpool supporter, I am too, I always have been. So I've always wanted to be Liverpool manager and that's not going to happen, but I'm still a Liverpool fan".
Between 2001 and 2006, Eriksson led the so-called "golden generation" of footballers in the England team, including David Beckham, Steven Gerrard, Wayne Rooney and Frank Lampard. While that team never reached the final of a major tournament, the 75-year-old former England coach believes the current group is a "good team" and has every chance of winning Euro 2024. /BGNES
