Tony Gustavsson Begins Tenure as Head Coach of Sweden's Women's Football Team
Tony Gustavsson officially assumes head coach role for Sweden's women's national football team, focusing on team culture and coaching staff.
Key Points
- • Tony Gustavsson appointed head coach after Peter Gerhardsson.
- • Brings significant international experience, including coaching roles in the USA and Australia.
- • Plans to develop a winning culture and aggressive style of play.
- • Coaching staff includes Johanna Almgren and Sofia Lundgren, among others.
Tony Gustavsson has officially taken over as the head coach of the Swedish women's football team, following Peter Gerhardsson. At his introductory press conference, Gustavsson expressed his passion for the sport and his desire to cultivate a winning mentality within the team, stating, "I love to win things." His previous coaching experience includes stints with the USA women's national team, where he won Olympic gold and two World Cup titles, as well as leading Australia to a World Cup bronze.
Currently, the Swedish women's team is in search of their first title since the 1984 European Championship. As Gustavsson prepares for upcoming international matches, he aims to instill an aggressive, high-paced style of play that demands significant physical effort from his players. The team is scheduled to compete against reigning World Champions Spain in a Nations League semifinal on October 24 and 28, marking a formidable start to his tenure.
Despite the immediate challenges, including the players’ recent fatigue from the European Championship where they were eliminated in penalties in the quarterfinals, Gustavsson is optimistic about the team's potential. He maintains that key elements of success will involve team cohesion, hard work, and a focus on strong defense. He emphasized that he still needs to finalize his coaching staff before engaging with the players, a strategic decision aimed at forming a cohesive game plan.
Gustavsson's coaching staff includes notable appointments such as Johanna Almgren as assistant coach, Sofia Lundgren as goalkeeper coach, and Niklas Egnell as head of performance, among others. This team is expected to enhance player performance and scouting processes. Despite not yet communicating with players, including notable captain Kosovare Asllani, Gustavsson recognizes the implications of Asllani's previous statement regarding her uncertain future with the national squad following the recent championship.
As Gustavsson settles into his role, he is committed to building a competitive team ahead of future tournaments, including the 2027 World Cup, and is focused on creating a solid foundation for success in Sweden's women's football.