11 January 2024 , 10:36
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Sven-Goran Eriksson was just as famous for his love life as he was for taking charge of some of the best football teams.
The Swedish former England manager, who previously spoke of his off-pitch reputation, has today revealed that he's been diagnosed with terminal cancer and has, at best, a year left to live. The 75-year-old shared the devastating diagnosis with fans, confirming that it was made last year after he collapsed while out on a run.
Eriksson told Sweden's P1 radio station: "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." No doubt he will be supported by his loved ones, however it is unclear whether Sven has a current partner.
Sven Goran Eriksson and his partner Nancy Dell'Olio in 2003 (PA)
The Italian stuck by him throughout his affairs before they parted ways for good in 2007 (Getty Images)Years ago, the ex-coach's love life took often took centre stage alongside his career, as he embarked on several high-profile affairs while managing the likes of Manchester City, Roma, and England. Before becoming a major sporting name, Sven married Ann-Christine Pettersson, whom he shares two children with, in July 1977. They filed for divorce in 1994.
Four years later, Italian lawyer Nancy Dell'Olio, 62, was introduced to the coach and they started dating. But things changed once he moved to London for his new England gig three years later, and he embarked on an infamous affair with model and TV presenter, Ulrika Jonsson, at the start of 2002.
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Nancy initially rubbished the rumours, insisting the pair were "more united" than ever. "We have spoken a lot over the last few days and there has been a lot of rubbish written. Sven will speak and dismiss it all," she said, adding: "It is all a publicity attempt by her."
The two women became embroiled in a public spat, with Ulrika responding: "Sven is behaving like a lying cad. He promised me it was over with Nancy but then takes her out to dinner and doesn't even call me."
Ulrika had a much-publicised affair with Sven (WireImage)
He also had an affair with Faria Alam in 2004 (Getty Images)Ulrika's nanny even claimed she'd caught the pair in bed together and Sven eventually confessed, writing in his 2013 memoir: "It was not until we met at some kind of a function in Manchester that anything romantic occurred. I was there with some people from the FA. For some reason, Ulrika was also invited. We met at the hotel the evening before and ended up spending the night together.
"Ulrika said she was writing a book about her life. 'Don't worry, Sven,' she said. 'You won't be in it. After that, Ulrika and I met when we could. Not daily, but now and then. It got to be more and more serious. Nancy did not suspect anything. She was travelling to Italy a lot during that time."
He added that he would meet Ulrika at her home and said he "did not feel I had anything to apologise for." The affair lasted for four months, with Ulrika brutally comparing their love-making to 'an Ikea instruction manual'.
As for Nancy, she briefly dumped Sven before taking him back. But just two years later, he was caught up in another love triangle, this time with Football Association secretary, Faria Alam, 57, who, in a soap opera-style twist, also had an affair with the Football Association CEO Mark Palios.
Sven, pictured with Nancy, said he 'wasn't prepared' for his personal life to be put under the microscope when he became England boss (PA)One of the Swede's other mistresses was millionairess Marisa Cauchi, who enjoyed a relationship with the ex-Manchester City boss for four years. She ended it when she found out she was one of five other women in a harem.
"I was with Sven for four years and he broke my heart. He told me he loved me and promised we'd come out as a couple. In reality he was keeping me a secret so he could romance other women," she told the Mirror.
Eriksson also revealed in his 2013 autobiography that he once slept with a married woman on her sofa when her husband came home and caught them. The revelation was eventually cut from the final draft, but the memo didn't get to publishers in Norway who released the uncensored version.
"We soon found ourselves naked on the sofa," wrote Eriksson. "She had not said anything about having a husband, but suddenly the door opened and there was a big man who said: 'Who the hell are you?' I said: 'I better leave,' and he replied: 'I think it's probably for the best'."
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He eventually split from Dell'Olio in August 2007, with Eriksson later revealing he was not prepared for the public scrutiny of his relationships. "I thought I was prepared for England but I was not prepared for things outside football, my private life.
"I am not very proud that fans could probably name three of my former girlfriends," he told the History channel. "I don't think it damaged my football results. But my image outside football it damaged, yes. My private life was not very private in England.
"In 2002, when it came out about a woman, well a Swedish one (Jonsson) I wondered what I should tell the players. It had nothing to do with football. But I was their manager and we were going into a World Cup. I told them 'sorry' but one of players stood up and said: 'Boss, welcome to England.' That was it. I felt good. It was over."