Danny Mills has expressed his gratitude to Sven-Goran Eriksson for giving him an opportunity with England.
Eriksson announced this week that he has terminal cancer and ‘has at best a year to live’.
Former Leeds defender Mills revealed his sadness at the news of Eriksson’s diagnosis, having also spent time with the former Three Lions boss while on the books at Manchester City.
‘And off the back of that, his children have taken him to hospital, and he’s received some absolutely devastating news that clearly was a complete shock, not just to him to his family, but to the whole football world as well.
Danny Mills revealed that he is grateful Sven-Goran Eriksson gave him a chance with England
Former England manager Eriksson revealed this week that he has terminal cancer
Mills revealed that Eriksson’s managerial style was very different to what he had previously experienced.
He said: ‘He was very, very different. If you go back to the year that he managed [England], the era that it was at the time, it was all about the screaming, shouting, throwing tea cups, all those types of things.
‘I don’t remember Sven ever raising his voice and let alone shouting. He was very much in the Arsène Wenger mould of management. He spoke very, very softly.
“His football knowledge was absolutely incredible. He worked with some of the top clubs in the world, with a lot of the top players as well and spoke, I would say, fluently five languages.’
Mills earned 19 caps for England, all of which came under Eriksson. The defender played a prominent part in England’s 2002 World Cup campaign, which helped his career greatly.
Mills said: ‘Sven gave me my England debut. Without him, who knows what would have happened; would I have played for England, would I have played in the World Cup?
‘All those great memories that I had.’
Mills says he doesn’t know what would have happened in his career if he didn’t get a chance with England
Eriksson remained in charge of England until 2006, having previously managed clubs including Lazio, Roma and Benfica.
During the latter stages of his managerial career Eriksson also had spells in charge of Mexico, Ivory Coast, Leicester City and the Philippines.
