Sweden hire former Denmark forward Jon Dahl Tomasson as head coach

By Can Erozden

Sweden on Monday hired former Denmark forward Jon Dahl Tomasson as head coach of its men's national football team.

The Swedish football body said in a statement that Tomasson, 47, has become the first foreign head coach of Sweden and will begin his duty on March 1, as Sweden gathers for international friendlies against Portugal and Albania.

The former Feyenoord and AC Milan star's contract will cover the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification and his deal will be automatically extended if Sweden reach the finals in Canada, Mexico, and the US.

Sweden's ex-boss Janne Andersson left his role after the team failed to qualify for the UEFA EURO 2024 that will begin in June.

"I'm very much looking forward to starting this great assignment and meeting supporters, players and of course the media in Sweden. And to be able to think, speak and dream in blue and yellow," Tomasson said.

He was one of the well-known football players of his generation, and retired in 2011 after playing for Dutch clubs Feyenoord and Heerenveen, Italy's AC Milan, Spain's Villarreal, German club Stuttgart, and England's Newcastle United.

Tomasson was in England to coach Championship division club Blackburn Rovers from 2022-2024. He also coached Swedish football club Malmo, and was the Danish national team's assistant head coach between 2016 and 2020.