The former police officer Janne Hammarbäck took over as security manager in 1992, and remained in the role for 22 years and 295 international matches – including during the World Championship 1994.
Janne was completely unique. He had a firm grip but was so down-to-earth, says former national team manager Tommy Söderberg to the newspaper.
It's so sad.
During the World Championship 1994 in the USA, Hammarbäck had to handle a suspected bomb threat against the Swedish national team's player bus, but it could later be dismissed.
He meant a lot to players and leaders. He was so committed and cared about everyone, says Söderberg.
The experienced security manager became close friends with the superstar Zlatan Ibrahimovic after the player made his national team debut in 2001. Before the gathering, it emerged that "Ibra" had pretended to be a police officer in Malmö and Hammarbäck was tasked with sorting it out.
After that, we were pals. I visited him in both Holland and Italy, among other things during the time he was suspended from the national team in 2006. It took some persuasion for him to come back, said Hammarbäck to Värmlands Folkblad 2019.
Hammarbäck passed away in cancer after a period of illness. He was 68 years old.
