Feyenoord and AC Milan hero close to Sweden sacking after shock defeat to Kosovo | OneFootball

Tension is building around the Swedish national team after their shock 1-0 home defeat to Kosovo. Manager Jon Dahl Tomasson has come under increasing pressure as World Cup qualification now looks like a near-impossible challenge.

The former Feyenoord and AC Milan striker Tomasson has been blamed for this defeat with some unfavourable tactics. Despite stating he has no intention of stepping down, it appears the Dane will be out of the picture next month. Aftonbladet have reported that the Swedish Football Association (SvFF) want to fire Tomasson.

“We have one point from four matches. We need to slow down, think, and analyse everything calmly,” said technical director Kim Källstrom after the defeat against Kosovo. The SvFF reportedly wants to carefully formulate how the decision is communicated. Because Tomasson’s contract largely consists of bonuses, the association can financially afford a dismissal.

That would be a first, as the SvFF have never previously dismissed a national coach. In the past, the association did not continue with Olle Nordin (1990) and Erik Hamrén (2016), but in both cases, the contracts were expiring and not renewed.

There’s seemingly unrest within the squad as well. Radiosporten reports that Anthony Elanga let loose in the tunnel after the final whistle. “This damn system has to go,” the Newcastle United striker reportedly shouted.

An insider also spoke to Aftonbladet about Tomasson’s tactics, which involve playing attacking football. “But that wasn’t the brief at all,” the anonymous source said. “He didn’t have to completely change the playing style of Swedish football; he created that narrative himself. A national coach is appointed to win matches, not to experiment.”

Sweden concludes its World Cup qualifying campaign next month with matches against Switzerland (away) and Slovenia (home). It seems unlikely that Tomasson will remain at the helm.

GBeNeFN | Max Bradfield