Former England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson has revealed he has around a year to live after being diagnosed with terminal cancer.

Eriksson, who managed the Three Lions for five years before leaving after the 2006 World Cup, stood down from his most recent role as sporting director at Swedish club Karlstad 11 months ago due to health issues. 

Speaking to Sweden's P1 radio station, 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. 

"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."

Eriksson, 75, added: "I was fully healthy and then I collapsed and fainted and ended up at the hospital. It turned out that I had cancer. 

"The day before I had been out running. It just came from nothing. And that makes you shocked.

"I'm not in any major pain. But I've been diagnosed with a disease you can slow down but you cannot operate. So it is what it is."

Eriksson led Benfica to three Portuguese top-flight titles and a runners-up finish in the European Cup before guiding Lazio to their second and most recent Serie A triumph in 1999-2000. 

He succeeded Kevin Keegan as England boss in January 2001, taking charge of the country's golden generation — the label given to a group of players who were shining at club level. 

Despite a wealth of talent at his disposal, including David Beckham, Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney, Eriksson presided over quarter-final exits at the 2002 and 2006 World Cups as well as at Euro 2004.

His career after the England job took him to Manchester City and Leicester, as well as spells in charge of Mexico, Ivory Coast and the Philippines.