12 January 2024 , 11:08
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Nancy Dell’Olio has been left ‘devastated’ by former partner Sven-Goran Eriksson’s claim he has “best case a year to live”.
The former England and Manchester City boss revealed the heart-breaking update this week in an interview with Swedish radio. Eriksson is suffering from an incurable form of pancreatic cancer.
He said: “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.
"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.”
Dell’Olio, who was in a relationship with Eriksson for ten years, has now responded to the news after previously losing her mother. As quoted by the Daily Mail, she said:“I didn't think 2024 would open with more bad news. I knew that Sven was ill, but it hurts so much to hear this.
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“It's a really negative moment. In September my mother died and I can't get over this loss. It's like having an open wound that instead of healing keeps getting worse. Sven's announcement was devastating. I knew he wasn't well, but hearing his words really. Life can be cruel.”
Del'Olio met the charismatic Swede during his time with Lazio and were together for 10 years, remaining together despite two high-profile affairs when he was England manager. She reflected on her time with Eriksson, culminating with the top job in English football.
Sven-Goran Eriksson and Nancy Dell'olio had a ten-year relationship (Getty Images)“There were wonderful periods: the scudetto (title) with Lazio was a fundamental step for us,” Dell’Olio added. “The crazy fans, the great warmth that arose around the team, the successes: they were exciting days.
“An important proposal has arrived for him to crown a unique job done in Italy. We moved to London: Sven was coaching the England national team.”
Dell’Olio concluded her interview by confirming that she would be in touch with Eriksson and revealed that they had “upcoming joint commitments”.
She is not the only one to have paid tribute to him following his gutting diagnosis either.
His trusted ally Tord Grip also revealed he keeps in touch with his friend after the news. He said: ”In the beginning it still looked quite good, we thought, but then you realised that it was bad. It has been difficult for Sven, of course. It is a terrible disease.
“We hear each other every week, we have a special time when we call, and we have continued to do that now as well. We haven't talked about football as much as usual. The conversations have obviously been about Sven’s health as well, and life.”
Wayne Rooney posted his own tribute on social media: "Sad news this morning. Thoughts are with Sven Goran-Eriksson and his family. A brilliant coach and a special person. Loved and respected by everyone. We’re all with you Sven, keep fighting."