STOCKHOLM (BN24) — Sweden has sacked head coach Jon Dahl Tomasson with immediate effect following a 1-0 World Cup qualifying defeat to Kosovo that leaves the national team winless in four matches and bottom of their group.
The Swedish Football Association (SvFF) confirmed the decision on Tuesday, citing poor results and growing internal dissatisfaction. The move comes amid growing scrutiny, both from the media and within the dressing room, including a post-match outburst by Newcastle United’s Anthony Elanga.
The 49-year-old Dane, who previously managed Blackburn Rovers and enjoyed a decorated playing career with AC Milan and Feyenoord, won only nine of his 18 matches in charge of the Swedish national side.
Tensions escalated after Monday’s loss in Stockholm, with Fisnik Asllani’s first-half strike sealing Kosovo’s second win over Sweden in the group. Sweden has now scored just twice and conceded seven in the qualifiers. The defeat effectively ends any hopes of direct qualification for the 2026 World Cup, though a play-off route remains possible through their Nations League standing.
Local outlet Radiosporten reported that Elanga, who was not selected for either of Sweden’s October qualifiers, voiced his fury in the tunnel after the match, reportedly shouting, “The damn system must go.” Speaking later, Elanga offered a more measured reflection: “We have worked on a system… but it may look a little different on the field. It is also we who are on the field who have to take responsibility.”
Tomasson had already faced criticism for tactical inconsistency and communication issues. Tottenham midfielder Lucas Bergvall, who started against Kosovo but was substituted at halftime for tactical reasons, questioned the manager’s decision to withhold the starting XI until just an hour before kickoff. “It doesn’t have a big impact on me, but I can’t speak for everyone else,” Bergvall said.
Sweden’s squad, valued highly thanks to Premier League forwards such as Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyökeres, has struggled to convert talent into results. The latest setback saw confidence in Tomasson reportedly erode among several senior players, according to Swedish outlet Sportbladet.
In a statement announcing Tomasson’s dismissal, SvFF chairman Simon Åström said, “The men’s national team has not delivered the results we hoped for. There is still a chance for a playoff in March, and we believe new leadership is required to maximize that opportunity.”
Kim Källström, head of the Swedish FA, praised Tomasson’s professionalism but acknowledged that results dictated the decision. “We have a group of players we believe in very much and want to create new opportunities for them to deliver,” Källström said. “It is always sad to go our separate ways, but football is results-based and we have reached a point where results are not enough.”
Sweden face Switzerland and Slovenia in their remaining group fixtures next month. While automatic qualification is now out of reach, they are expected to secure a playoff spot provided other group winners from the Nations League qualify via traditional routes.
