Boos and insults Sweden fans attack coach Tomasson after Switzerland defeat
After the home defeat against Switzerland, Sweden are left with just one point and the World Cup is receding ever further into the distance. The home fans have found the culprit for the misery: Coach John Dahl Tomasson.
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- Sweden's national coach Jon Dahl Tomasson is at the center of criticism after the 2-0 defeat against Switzerland. Fans booed him before kick-off and many called for his resignation.
- The players defend Tomasson despite the personal attacks, but emphasize their understanding for the disappointed supporters.
- If Sweden also lose against Kosovo on Monday, national team director Kim Källström could reconsider his support for Tomasson.
Even before kick-off, a special atmosphere could be felt in the Strawberry Arena in the Stockholm suburb of Solna. Not anticipation, but frustration was in the foreground. The poor results - a 2:2 draw against Slovenia in the opener and a 0:2 defeat against Kosovo - left their mark on the otherwise stoic soul of the people.
During the Swiss anthem, there were quite a few whistles from the hosts' fan curve. Not a nice action, but (unfortunately) almost normal everyday life on the international football stage. However, it was not the national team, but one Dane who attracted the most displeasure by far: coach John Dahl Tomasson, also known as JDT for short.
When his name was introduced by the stadium announcer shortly before the start of the match, many of the 50,151 spectators in attendance booed at the top of their voices. In the second half, the Swedish supporters sang longingly for his predecessor Janne Andersson.
"Bottom drawer"
After the game, there were also banners in the stands: While "Avgå JDT" (Eng: Step back JDT) was still within the expected range, the message "Danskjävel" (Eng: Danish bastard) was clearly below the belt. "That's terrible, there should be no such thing. I understand that people are disappointed, but I find writing things like that to be in the lowest drawer," emphasized defender Emil Holm to "Aftonbladet".
On social media, JDT, who is the Swedish FA's first foreign coach, has also been cleared for closure. "You suffer with him," admits midfielder Yasin Ayari.
"I understand the fans, they want results and wins. Football is emotion. The fans are worried - we have to deal with that. That was a slap in the face, but we haven't been eliminated yet. I believe that we can make it to the World Cup with this team," says JDT.
Tomasson, who was once a feared striker in his playing career and even made it to Milan, mourns above all the penalty scene in which Djibril Sow went down after a duel with Alexander Bernhardsson: "Goals change games. A goal gives you confidence and momentum. From my point of view, it was a very cheap penalty," says JDT.
Will ex-GC star Källstrom sack coach Tomasson?
"We're very disappointed with the result, we always want to win. We didn't play a perfect game, but we played well enough and created enough chances to win," Tomasson said. After the penalty goal, his team was a little unsettled. At the same time, he complimented Switzerland: "They are a mature team. You can see why they were so successful for so long."
They had been fighting for first place, but now that has changed. Tomasson remains optimistic: "We can finish second if we beat Kosovo."
His contract with Tre Kronor runs until March 2026, so it remains to be seen whether national team director Kim Källström - known in Switzerland from his time at GC - will maintain his recent backing ("trust completely intact"). A home win against Kosovo in Gothenburg on Monday is a must, otherwise Sweden could miss out on the World Cup for the fourth time in the last five attempts.
