Sirius tops the Allsvenskan table, eleven points ahead of Hammarby with one game in hand. But the road to getting there has been marked by relegation protests and brave decisions that have had an effect.
Kjell Sjöberg, sports editor at the local newspaper UNT in Uppsala, remembers last season when Sirius was at the bottom of the league.
We actually asked Andreas Engelmark the question, will you get fired?
The question was very relevant at the time. The club had taken a gamble by replacing coach Christer Mattiasson - who led Sirius to an eighth-place finish in 2023 while the club broke its points record in the Allsvenskan with 42 - and bringing in Engelmark instead.
Taking after Brighton
Just over a year later, the tone is different. Andreas Engelmark, the coach who was extremely close to being fired last year, has put together a team that is well on its way to winning the club's first Swedish Championship gold.
It was really messy and stormy. We sold Leo Walta and everyone thought it would be the death blow, but our strategy has been consistent since 2019 - that we will work with younger, marketable players. A bit like how Brighton works in England, Ola Andersson tells TT.
A lot has happened this season, especially with several signings proving successful.
We haven't done anything differently compared with last year. Many players have delivered, Robbie Ure has had time. The strategy has started to have an effect, but no one thought it would be this good. It's unreal, says Andersson.
Can sell successful players
Jonathan Ederström, manager of the men's team, says the club can sell successful players Robbie Ure and Isak Bjerkebo. But only if the right offer comes in.
Many players have done well and it is quite natural that there is interest from outside. As always, we make an assessment of what creates the best conditions for Sirius to win as many matches as possible over time, so regardless of what happens, we will face the autumn with an effective squad, says Ederström.
In terms of play, Sirius has become a cynical team. Play tight, leave less space and keep the back line in order, says Kjell Sjöberg in the local newspaper UNT.
The future looks bright for the Uppsala club, according to Ola Andersson.
It's about making long-term decisions and investing the money we get. If we want to be the best in the country at training players, we must have good resources and offer optimal conditions, such as our own training facility.
Founded: 1907.
Seasons in the Allsvenskan: Making its 13th (1969, 1973-1974, 2017-2026).
Home arena: Studenternas IP (capacity 11,167).
Coach: Andreas Engelmark. Took over last season and was questioned after a weak start. But during the autumn Sirius was one of the best-performing teams in the series, which was enough for a ninth-place finish.
Season so far: 14 games played. Twelve wins, two draws and zero losses. First in the table with 38 points.
Top scorers: Robbie Ure, 15, Isak Bjerkebo, 10.
