How circus around Isak left Sweden in World Cup bind

For the first time in the history of the men's national team, Sweden have sacked their manager. There have been departures after tournaments and contracts left unrenewed after a disappointing season.

- LAWRENCE OSTLERE SPORTS WRITER

But never has the Swedish FA felt the need to fire its head coach in the middle of a qualifying campaign, until now.

Jon Dahl Tomasson has gone after overseeing an unmitigated disaster. Sweden are bottom of Group B with one point from four games and, barring a miraculous set of results, they will not be at the 2026 World Cup.

Last month, Sweden drew their opening game 2-2 in Slovenia, having twice let the lead slip. Still, it was a point on the board with the group minnows next. They went to Kosovo, ranked 99 in the world, who repeatedly countered behind Tomasson's sluggish back three. Sweden had 69 per cent possession and lost 2-0.

No panic yet, but now they really needed to win, or at the very least draw, the next game against Group B favourites Switzerland in Stockholm. The Swiss dominated the ball and had plenty of shots - but Sweden created the clearest chances. Alexander Isak hit the post at the end of a flowing move, and then teed up Lucas Bergvall for a tap-in open goal, only to watch in horror as the Tottenham midfielder contrived to miskick the ball from six yards. At the other end, goalkeeper Robin Olsen fumbled a straight shot into his goal, and Sweden lost 2-0.

One point from three games, but at least the qualifying campaign was still salvageable with the visit of Kosovo on Monday night. This, finally, would be liftoff on the road to the World Cup. Isak again started in a luxury front two with Arsenal's Viktor Gyokeres while captain Victor Lindelof returned to defence, but the victors on the night were Kosovo in a worryingly comfortable 1-0 win.

So Sweden are cooked and so is Tomasson. The FA's football director, Kim Kallstrom, said after the defeat: “We have one point after four games, so we need to step back and think and analyse a little in peace and quiet.” Which, in Swedish culture, is not a good sign.