The 75-year-old coach, who oversaw the Azkals from 2018-2019, said he has about a year to live in the "best case" scenario.
"Keep fighting, gentleman."
Members of the Philippine men's national football team sent prayers and messages of encouragement after it was revealed that former Azkals coach Sven-Goran Eriksson has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
The 75-year-old Swedish-born tactician told Swedish radio station P1's The Sunday Interview that he received the diagnosis after fainting during a five kilometer run.
"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," he said in the interview, as published in the website on Thursday.
"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," he added.
"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," Eriksson reflected.
"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."
Stephan Schrock, who scored a goal for the Azkals during Eriksson's stint in the 2019 AFC Asian Cup, posted a photo of the coach and a prayer emoji.
Leftback Martin Steuble, who made four goals for the Philippines, reposted a photo of Eriksson with the caption, "Goodfellas."
"Keep fighting, gentleman," he added in a separate Instagram story.
Other football organizations also sent their messages of support.
"Sending our love, Sven," tweeted the England football team.
Eriksson was England's first foreign manager and helped them beat longtime rival Germany, 5-1, in the 2002 World Cup.
In 2007, he became the first Swedish manager in the Premier League and helped Manchester City beat then-reigning champions Manchester United.
"Everyone at Manchester City is thinking of Sven-Göran Eriksson, and we wish to express our collective support to our former Manager, and his family and friends, during this time," Manchester City posted on social media.
"A brilliant coach and a special person. Loved and respected by everyone. We’re all with you Sven, keep fighting ??💪," added Birmingham's Wayne Rooney.