The Swedish national soccer team should seize its tiny World Cup chance without coach Jon Dahl Tomasson.
The Danish coach was released by the association on Tuesday in response to the 1-0 qualifying defeat against Kosovo. A successor for the former Bundesliga striker was not initially named.
Tomasson “did not achieve the results we had hoped for,” said association boss Simon Aström, pointing out that Sweden had to preserve its hopes of participating in the World Cup via the detour of play-offs.
Association director Kim Källström added: “We believe that this team can make it to the World Cup,” albeit under different, new leadership.
Video: Highlights: Kosovo dupes Sweden
He called the separation from Tomasson “sad”. But the association had no other choice: Sweden is last in Group B with one point from four games behind Switzerland, Kosovo and Slovenia and only has a theoretical chance of second place, which would be enough for the play-offs in March.
“Perhaps the worst thing Swedish football has ever seen”
The latest defeat, Tomasson’s seventh in 18 international matches on the Swedish bench, was “perhaps the worst thing Swedish football has ever experienced,” the press said.
Once again the fans acknowledged the lifeless performance with whistles. In addition, a banner read “JDT out” – including an insult.
Sweden has class players like Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyökeres. However, a loophole for participation in the 13th World Cup could still open up if Sweden comes third or fourth in its qualifying group: As one of the group winners in the Nations League, “Ladslaget” would also reach the play-offs if six other first team teams regularly qualify for the final round.