The decision is historic. Never before has a national team captain for Sweden's men's national football team been fired from his post.
The message comes the day after the 0-1 loss to Kosovo in the World Championship qualifying match in Gothenburg. It was Sweden's third consecutive loss in the qualifying group, where Blågult only managed to scrape together one point in four matches.
The lack of results in the ongoing World Championship qualifying match is the basis for the decision, the association states in a press release.
"Result-based"
"There is still a chance for playoffs in March and our responsibility is to ensure that we have the most optimal conditions possible to reach a World Championship final. In that, we assess that it requires new leadership in the form of a new national team captain," says chairman Simon Åström.
Football manager Kim Källström:
"We have a group of players who we believe in very much and want to create new opportunities for them to deliver. We believe that this team can make it to the World Championship if the chance for playoffs exists in March," says Källström.
"It's always sad to go separate ways, but football is result-based and we have come to a point where the results are not enough," he continues.
Jon Dahl Tomasson got the job as national team captain in February 2024. He took over after Janne Andersson, who finished in the fall of 2023 after Blågult missed the European Championship final 2024.
Tomasson started his time on the job with a major loss away to world nation Portugal in a friendly match in March 2024. The first competitive matches came in the fall of the same year when Sweden won their group in the C division of the Nations League (NL) and was promoted to the second division.
Jumbo in the group
The big win against Azerbaijan (6-0) in the NL final on November 19, 2024, was the last time the national team won a competitive match.
In the ongoing World Championship qualifying match, Sweden is jumbo in the group with two matches left to play. The direct spot is out of reach and Blågult will also have a hard time reaching second place, which guarantees World Championship playoffs in the spring. Sweden is seven points behind second-place Kosovo, which also has a clearly better goal difference.
If Sweden finishes third or fourth, it can still be playoffs. This is thanks to a lifeline through last fall's NL group victory, but that spot is not yet secured.
The national team meets Switzerland away and Slovenia at home on November 15 and 18, respectively.
The association states that the work of finding a new national team captain begins immediately.
TT seeks Simon Åström and the national team's press chief Petra Thorén for a comment.
Born: August 29, 1976 (49 years old).
Position as a player: Striker.
Nationality: Danish.
Clubs as a player: Køge, Heerenveen, Newcastle, Feyenoord, Milan, Stuttgart, Villarreal, Feyenoord
International matches/goals: 110/52.
Clubs and national teams as a coach: Excelsior, Roda Kerkrade, Vitesse Arnhem, Denmark (assistant), Malmö FF, Blackburn Rovers, Sweden.
Other: Won the Dutch league and the Uefa Cup with Feyenoord, finalist in the Champions League with Milan, twice elected Denmark's best player.
National team captains for Sweden's men's national football team throughout the ages:
2024-2025: Jon Dahl Tomasson.
2016-2023: Janne Andersson.
2009-2016: Erik Hamrén.
2004-2009: Lars Lagerbäck.
2000-2004: Lars Lagerbäck and Tommy Söderberg.
1998-1999: Tommy Söderberg.
1991-1997: Tommy Svensson.
1990: Nils Andersson.
1986-1990: Olle Nordin.
1980-1985: Lars "Laban" Arnesson.
1971-1979: George "Åby" Ericson.
1966-1970: Orvar Bergmark.
1962-1965: Lennart Nyman.
Footnote: Until 1962, the national team was managed by the so-called Selection Committee. Its leaders often functioned as coaches and team leaders for the national team. Sometimes, coaches were also hired externally.
Jon Dahl Tomasson made his first match as national team captain for Sweden's men's national football team in March 2024. Here is his record:
2024
2-5 (away) against Portugal
1-0 (home) against Albania
1-2 (away) against Denmark
0-3 (home) against Serbia
3-1 (away) against Azerbaijan (Nations League)
3-0 (home) against Estonia (NL)
2-2 (away) against Slovakia (NL)
3-0 (away) against Estonia (NL)
2-1 (home) against Slovakia (NL)
6-0 (home) against Azerbaijan (NL)
2025
0-1 (away) against Luxembourg
5-1 (home) against Northern Ireland
2-0 (away) against Hungary
4-3 (home) against Algeria
2-2 (away) against Slovenia (World Championship qualifying)
0-2 (away) against Kosovo (World Championship qualifying)
0-2 (home) against Switzerland (World Championship qualifying)
0-1 (home) against Kosovo (World Championship qualifying)
Record: Nine wins, two draws, seven losses.
