Deep-seated player frustration over tactical decisions and poor performance directly precipitated Jon Dahl Tomasson’s departure as head coach of Sweden’s national football team, according to Swedish media reports.
The internal dissent reportedly climaxed after a recent loss to Kosovo, when winger Anthony Elanga was heard shouting, “This system crap has to stop!” in the locker room, visibly agitated. This outburst underscored a broader discontent within the squad regarding Tomasson’s strategies.
A key point of contention was Tomasson’s insistence on a 3-5-2 formation. The coach aimed to integrate star strikers Viktor Gyökeres and Alexander Isak into the same lineup.
However, this tactical shift reportedly failed to yield positive results and caused dissatisfaction among players, including Bergvall and Elanga.
Further exacerbating team morale, Tomasson began announcing the starting eleven just an hour before matches. This practice left some players surprised by their assigned positions on the field.
As an example, Daniel Svensson, typically a full-back, was deployed in midfield on more than one occasion.
Sweden’s performance under Tomasson in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers has been dire. The team has failed to secure a single victory, recording one draw and three defeats in four matches.
The team now faces the daunting task of achieving a “miracle” in its two remaining fixtures to have any chance of qualifying.
Tomasson’s tenure with the Swedish national team began in March 2024. His debut match was a 5-2 friendly loss to Portugal. He later oversaw the team’s promotion to Nations League B.
He ultimately left his post following a string of poor results and decisions that reportedly caught the entire squad off guard.