Jimmy Thelin could soon be managing Benjamin Nygren and Carl Starfelt | OneFootball

Aberdeen boss Jimmy Thelin could soon be set to manage Celtic midfielder Benjamin Nygren…

Benjamin Nygren celebrates scoring during Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Livingston at Celtic Park on August 23, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

According to a report, Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin is among the candidates being linked with the managerial position as Sweden’s national team coach. The Swedish Football Association is searching for a new head coach after parting ways with Jon Dahl Tomasson on Tuesday. Graham Potter has also been linked with the vacancy.

Jon Dahl Tomasson, head coach of Malmö FF ahead of the UEFA Champions League qualifying match between Rangers and Malmö FF on August 10, 2021 i Photo: Ludvig Thunman

The ex-Blackburn Rovers manager was relieved of his duties following a dreadful start to Sweden’s World Cup qualifying campaign, highlighted by a 1-0 home loss to Kosovo that left the team at the bottom of their group.

Tomasson, remembered for his cheeky remarks [“don’t you think they need the Champions League money here? I think so. I think they need that. I think that’s a good answer isn’t it? I think you are all clever lads so you understand it,”] against theRangers while leading Malmo to a 2-1 victory at Ibrox, has now faced the consequences of Sweden’s disappointing results.

Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic FC and Aberdeen FC at Celtic Park, on 25th February 2025. (Picture by Mark Runnacles)

Daily Record reports that Dons boss Thelin is now being considered for the role. Although his tenure at Pittodrie has been topsy turvy, with Aberdeen currently languishing at the foot of the Scottish Premiership table, he remains well-respected in Sweden following a successful period with Elfsborg.

The Swedish Football Association would reportedly face a substantial compensation cost to hire Thelin, given that he is still under contract in Aberdeen.

Sporting CP v Celtic – Pre-Season Friendly Benjamin Nygren of Celtic FC controls the ball during the Pre-Season Friendly match between Sporting de Lisboa and Celtic FC at Estadio Algarve in Faro, Portugal, on July 16, 2025. Faro Portugal Photo DAX Images

Such a move would mark a remarkable twist for Nygren who has now missed out on two footballing dreams in one season – playing in the Champions League group stages and the World Cup.

Despite being called up, Nygren played no part in either of Sweden’s defeats to Switzerland and Kosovo over the international period.

Carl Starfelt of the Swedish national football team at a press conference, PK, Pressekonferenz on September 4, 2023 in Stockholm. Photo: Emma Wallskog / BILDBYRAN /

Also in the Sweden squad playing a grand total of zero minutes was former Celtic defender Carl Starfelt. The 30 year-old still plies his trade with La Liga side Celta Vigo who sit in 16th position after six games.

Conor Spence

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