With World Cup qualifiers reaching a crucial stage, time is running out for some nations to book their place in North America next year.
One of those on the brink of missing out is Sweden, who suffered their third defeat in a row last night following a 1-0 loss at home to Kosovo.
The result left Anthony Elanga and Alexander Isak’s country rock bottom of their group on one point, and Sweden has taken action in the last few hours, sacking manager and former Newcastle striker Jon Dahl Tomasson.
This may come as a good news for Elanga, who was dropped for both of their games over the past week against Switzerland and Kosovo, while fellow Mag Emil Krafth may be handed a lifeline ahead of November’s international break after Tomasson left the full-back out of his latest squad.
Elanga was openly critical of the current set up after Monday night’s defeat to Kosovo, criticising the 3-5-2 system that has facilitated Isak and Gyokeres, but seen him miss out and his country struggle:
“This system has to go,” he said. “When you are on the field as a football player, it can look different. We on the field have to take responsibility and unfortunately it didn’t work today.”
A statement from the Swedish FA confirmed Tomasson’s departure this afternoon, saying:
‘The Swedish Football Association’s board has made the decision to terminate Jon Dahl Tomasson’s appointment as national team manager. The decision is based on a lack of results in the World Cup qualifiers.
‘Jon Dahl Tomasson’s assignment is terminated with immediate effect. The decision was made by the Swedish Football Association’s board on Tuesday. The decision is based on a lack of results in the World Cup qualifiers.
‘The decision taken by the Swedish Football Association is based on the fact that the men’s national team has not delivered the results we hoped for. There is still a chance for a playoff in March and our responsibility is to ensure that we have the best possible conditions to be able to reach a World Cup final.
‘In this regard, we believe that new leadership is required in the form of a new national captain, says Simon Åström, chairman of the Swedish Football Association.’
