Ex England boss Sven Goran Eriksson’s former lover Nancy Dell Olio has described his terminal cancer diagnosis as ‘devastating’.
Lawyer Nancy, who had a ten year relationship with Sven, 75, said she ‘knew he was ill’ but had no idea of his devastating condition.
The glamorous Italian – who left her husband Giancarlo Massa for the coach – was a constant by his side and pictured with him at several tournaments.
Nancy, 62, who is in Italy following the recent death of her mother, 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.
‘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.’
The glamorous Italian – who left her husband Giancarlo Massa for the coach – was a constant by his side and pictured by his side at several tournaments
Former England footballer manager Sven-Göran Eriksson revealed he is trying to ‘appreciate every day’ after being diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer
Nancy, 62, who is in Italy following the recent death of her mother, said: ‘I didn’t think 2024 would open with more bad news’
Sven told a local Swedish radio station on Thursday that he had ‘at best a year to live’ after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
When Sven led England to the World Cup in Germany in 2006, flamboyant Nancy, dressed in designer outfits, organised parties for the WAGS in their base at Baden Baden.
They met in 1997 when he was manager at Rome club Lazio and came to England with him when he was appointed in charge of the Three Lions and was with him for ten years.
Nancy said: ‘There were wonderful periods: the scudetto (title) with Lazio was a fundamental step for us.
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.’
Recalling her first visit to a packed Wembley she told Corriere Della Sera:’An incredible emotion. Seeing all those people is impressive and makes you proud.
Nancy wrote of her relationship with Sven in her book ‘My Beautiful Game’ and said: ‘I’m proud to have talked about the beautiful love story that linked me to Sven’
England soccer coach Sven-Goran Eriksson looks at his girlfriend Nancy Dell ‘Olio as they attend a Football for Unity launch event in 2006
‘In London we went to many events and met lots of well-known people and we attended charity events. I became great friends with the Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson.’
Nancy wrote of her relationship with Sven in her book ‘My Beautiful Game’ and added: ‘I’m proud to have talked about the beautiful love story that linked me to Sven, it’s one of the two great love stories of my life.’
When asked about reports they had been due to marry she said: ‘Yes but it never happened.
‘ Life never knows what awaits you, changes have occurred, difficult days have arrived and many trials to face.’
‘I remember fondly a New Year’s Eve spent in Mozambique with Nelson Mandela. It was an experience that filled my heart.’
Nancy ended her interview by saying she would be in touch with Sven adding ‘it was a bad time’ for him ans revealing they had ‘upcoming joint commitments’.
Nancy went onto appear in Strictly and Celebrity Big Brother and Celebrity MasterChef
Nancy described herself as being the First Lady of Football during her time with Sven and in a recent interview revealed how some of the WAGS felt intimidated by her.
She stuck with Sven despite his affairs with TV presenter Ulrika Jonsson and FA secretary Faria Alam and went onto appear in Strictly and Celebrity Big Brother and Celebrity MasterChef.
Nancy’s support for Sven comes after Ulrika posted a throwback picture of herself on Instagram.
She wrote:’Look at me being all young all that. So. PSA. I don’t have anything to say about Sven. #nada. Not a decent person’.