Sweden SACK manager hours after calling out Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres

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Sweden have sacked manager Jon Dahl Tomasson as he paid the price for a dismal run of results. The former Blackburn boss has been in charge since February 2024, taking over a side filled with attacking talent.

Viktor Gyokeres and Alexander Isak - signed by Arsenal and Liverpool this summer respectively - lead the line in a side which had strong ambitions of reaching the World Cup next summer.

But a terrible defeat to Kosovo on Tuesday night, leaves them with just one point from four qualifiers and bottom of their group. Ex-Denmark striker Tomasson became the country's first foreign manager when he took over last year, but has presided over just nine wins from his 18 games.

He called out his star strikers after firing a blank at home to Kosovo, he said: "It's not good enough and it's a terrible result. It really hurts, we forgot how to score goals and I don't know why."

But the Swedish Football Association clearly believe the blame lies in the dugout, with his sacking announced on Tuesday afternoon.

A statement reads: "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.

"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."

Former Arsenal midfielder and now head of Swedish Football, Kim Kallstrom added: "We have a group of players that we believe in very much and want to create new opportunities for them to deliver.

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"We have faith that this team can make it to the World Cup if the chance for the playoffs is there in March. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Jon for this period."

And while their hopes of qualifying through the conventional method are all but over, they do have a fall-back option still available. Sweden topped their UEFA Nations League Group, meaning they would still have the opportunity to reach the USA, Canada and Mexico via a play-off.

Regardless though, it was another chastening night for Isak and Gyokeres, who moved for a combined £193.5million this summer. Both have endured their struggles since their transfers, Gyokeres has three goals for the Gunners, but has flattered to deceive.

Meanwhile, Isak is still struggling for fitness and is yet to score in the Premier League . He did manage 90 uneventful minutes in both matches during this break, hinting his minutes at club level could quickly increase as well.

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