Sven-Göran Eriksson opens up on ‘devastating’ cancer diagnosis and looks back on England joy and tells talkSPORT his hope to see Wembley again

Sven-Göran Eriksson has opened up on his terminal cancer diagnosis, saying he's devastated, but that he 'has to accept it'.

The sad news emerged on Thursday morning that the 75-year-old has 'at best a year' to live.

Eriksson sought medical advice after collapsing during a 5km run, with doctors also discovering he suffered a stroke.

Speaking to Alan Brazil and Ray Parlour on talkSPORT's Sports Breakfast, the legendary boss said: "It is [devastating].

"But you have to accept it. It is what it is – and try to live with it as best you can.

“[Life] was better 20 years ago, in Germany,” he laughed when referencing one of England's most iconic nights in football.

Under Eriksson, the Three Lions beat Germany 5-1 in Munich in a 2001 World Cup qualifier - a game remembered for Michael Owen's hat-trick.

One of football's most-respected figures, he managed England between 2001 and 2006 where he was the national team's first foreign coach.

In that time he led the nation during two World Cups and a European Championship while managing stars such as David Beckham, Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney.

Speaking of that result in Germany, Eriksson said: "That was my best result in one football match, yes.

"Germany away, normally you don’t win. You don’t win 5-1. That was too much to be true, but it was true.”

Discussing his England reign as a whole, he added: "It was [enjoyable]. Absolutely. I was very happy. Very proud to have that job.

"To be the England manager, I think is the highest you can come in that profession.”

After England, he managed Manchester City, Mexico and Leicester, with his latest role being the sporting director of Karlstad in his native Sweden - a role he has resigned from due to his diagnosis.

The Three Lions are next in action in March when Brazil visit Wembley in March. Asked if he will be able to make it, he said: “Maybe. If it was today, I am fit enough.

"But that would be a great game to see.”

In another interview with TalkTV, he revealed he was suffering from pancreatic cancer.

“They told me it has gone on for a while," he explained when asked what stage it was at when told of the diagnosis. "It has been spread to other organs also.

"When you get a message like that it’s like a shock because I was fully fit, I think. Rather fit as well and training. So it came from nowhere. So, of course, you feel very bad and you are shocked when you get it, and I think that's normal. But you have to fight against it, and that's what I'm trying to do, at least.”

The 75-year-old, who was speaking from his home in Sweden, then explained how his family dealt with the news. “We have to deal with it," he said.

"The alternative is to give up and sit alone at home. So, the whole family, the children - they're grown up now - one lives in Spain, one in Stockholm so they’re coming as often as they can, and we talk every day.

“In the beginning, it was very difficult to accept it but once you accept it, life goes on and life has to go on.”