Sweden have sacked manager Jon Dahl Tomasson following a string of disappointing performances and results. The former Blackburn boss, who took the reins in February 2024, was at the helm of a team brimming with attacking quality. Arsenal’s Viktor Gyokeres and Liverpool’s summer signing Alexander Isak spearhead a talented squad aiming for World Cup qualification next summer.
However, a shocking loss to Kosovo on Tuesday night leaves them languishing at the bottom of their group with a mere one point from four qualifiers. Tomasson, a former Denmark striker, made history as Sweden’s first foreign manager last year but has only managed to secure nine victories in his 18 matches in charge. After a goalless draw against Kosovo at home, he criticised his top strikers, saying: “It’s not good enough and it’s a terrible result. It really hurts, we forgot how to score goals and I don’t know why.”
But the Swedish Football Association evidently believes the fault lies with the management, announcing his dismissal on Tuesday afternoon.
The statement read: “The Swedish Football Association’s board has made the decision to terminate Jon Dahl Tomasson’s appointment as national team manager. The decision is based on a lack of results in the World Cup qualifiers.
“The decision taken by the Swedish Football Association is based on the fact that the men’s national team has not delivered the results we hoped for. There is still a chance for a playoff in March and our responsibility is to ensure that we have the best possible conditions to be able to reach a World Cup final.”
Former Arsenal midfielder and now head of Swedish Football, Kim Kallstrom added: “We have a group of players that we believe in very much and want to create new opportunities for them to deliver.
“We have faith that this team can make it to the World Cup if the chance for the playoffs is there in March. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Jon for this period.”
Whilst their prospects of qualifying via the traditional route appear virtually finished, they retain a back-up pathway. Sweden secured top spot in their UEFA Nations League Group, ensuring they would maintain the possibility of reaching the USA, Canada and Mexico through a play-off.
Nevertheless, it proved another disappointing evening for Isak and Gyokeres, who commanded a combined £193.5m this summer.
Both strikers have encountered difficulties following their transfers, with Gyokeres netting three times for the Gunners whilst failing to truly convince.
Meanwhile, Isak continues battling fitness issues and remains without a Premier League goal.
He did complete 90 largely unremarkable minutes in both fixtures during this international window, suggesting his club game time could rapidly increase.
