Former Blackburn boss Jon Dahl Tomasson has been appointed as the new manager of Sweden.
The Dane succeeds Janne Andersson, who stepped down following the team’s failure to qualify for Euro 2024, and becomes Sweden’s first foreign manager.
Tomasson has signed a contract which covers the qualifying campaign for the 2026 World Cup and will be automatically extended if Sweden advance.
“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,” the former Denmark striker said on the Swedish Football Association website.
His first game in charge will be a friendly away to Portugal next month.
The 47-year-old left Championship side Rovers by mutual consent at the start of February, with the club 18th in the table, five points above the relegation zone.
Tomasson, who was appointed Blackburn manager in 2022 after a spell in charge of Swedish side Malmo, was previously assistant manager of the Danish national team between 2016 and 2020.
The Swedish FA’s head of football Kim Kallstrom said: “Jon Dahl Tomasson’s characteristics fit the requirement profile well. It wasn’t decisive, but we appreciate his playing background.
“We see it as a strength that he has a good understanding of what national team activities are after his years as assistant coach in Denmark. He has also played and been captain of the Danish national team.
“Jon Dahl Tomasson’s way of wanting to play positive attacking football is something that will suit our group of players well. He also has good experience of being a leading figure, which you naturally become for the Swedish men’s national team.”
Tomasson will bring his former assistant at Blackburn, Remy Reijnierse, with him as assistant manager.
Miedema to leave Arsenal at end of season
Arsenal have announced that Women’s Super League all-time record goalscorer Vivianne Miedema will leave the club at the end of the season.
The 27-year-old signed for Arsenal in 2017 from Bayern Munich, scoring 125 goals and providing 50 assists in 172 appearances in all competitions.
She won the WSL title in 2018-19 and lifted three Conti Cups during her time with the Gunners.
Her tally of 79 goals is a league-high record, with the Netherlands international earning the Golden Boot in two consecutive seasons, also setting a league record for the most goals scored in a single season with 22.
In a video posted on Instagram, Miedema said: "After seven special years, it’s time for my Arsenal journey to come to an end.
"To have represented a club like this, with so much history and tradition, has been an absolute honour.
"So, above all else, I would like to say thank you for making this chapter of my life so memorable."
Miedema struggled with injuries during her last two seasons at Arsenal, suffering an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in December 2022 that kept her out for 10 months before having to undergo knee surgery in March, limiting her to 13 appearances this season.
Reports suggest that Manchester City are favourites to sign the striker on a free transfer when her contract expires at the end of the season.
Luis Enrique unaware of Mbappe jeers in 'beautiful' PSG send-off
Luis Enrique says he did not hear any jeers aimed towards Kylian Mbappe as the superstar forward bode farewell to Paris Saint-Germain fans.
Mbappe, a PSG player since 2017, confirmed this week he will leave the Parc des Princes when his deal expires at the end of the campaign.
The club's all-time leading goalscorer had a chance to say goodbye to supporters in PSG's final home game of the Ligue 1 season on Sunday.
Whistles and boos were heard from the stands as Mbappe's name was announced prior to the match with Toulouse, which ended in a 3-1 defeat.
However, head coach Luis Enrique insists the reception the France international received was only positive.
"I didn't hear any booing," he said after the game. "I heard lots of support. All I heard was applause, chants and joy.
"I think it was what Kylian deserved. The fans were superb, as always. He is undoubtedly a legend of the club despite his youth.
"I saw the tifo of the ultras. It seems to me that it was very beautiful and very significant and I am happy that it happened like that.
"It is recognition of the work of a player of his category. It was a perfect evening and the supporters was, as always, superb."
Mbappe gave PSG the lead against Toulouse, but the visitors struck three times to inflict a third straight loss on the Parisians in all competitions.
Luis Enrique has made a habit of substituting the prolific forward in league games, or not starting him, but that was not the case against Toulouse.
The 25-year-old, who is widely expected to join Real Madrid, played the full 90 minutes in the already-crowned French champions' latest loss.
Explaining that decision, Luis Enrique said: "I didn't take Kylian out because every time I did, it irritated some people.
"I told myself we had to make him play 90 minutes. If I had made him come out after 85 minutes for an ovation, some would have been angry."
Southgate: Man United speculation 'a complete irrelevance'
Gareth Southgate says speculation linking him with the Manchester United job is "a complete irrelevance" as his entire focus is on England's Euro 2024 campaign.
The England manager has been tipped as a contender to succeed Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford should United part ways with the Dutchman at the end of the season.
Southgate is due to be out of contract later this year, with suggestions that the upcoming European Championship finals will be his last tournament as Three Lions chief.
However, amid the talk over where he could end up later this year, the 53-year-old is not looking beyond the Euros.
"I've got one thing to focus on, and that's having as successful a tournament with England as possible," he told ITV News.
"Everything else outside of that is a complete irrelevance to me."
Asked specifically about the United links in a separate interview with BBC Sport, Southgate said: "There will always be speculation about managers.
"If you lose a couple of games, you're in trouble - you win a couple of games and it is a different agenda.
"But for me, [Euro 2024] is a brilliant opportunity. We're looking forward to the tournament. My focus is on how do we go a step further than we went in the last Euros."
Southgate has been England boss since 2016 and previously hinted he contemplated stepping down after the World Cup quarter-final loss to France in December 2022.
Despite the fact his deal expires in the next six months, Southgate insists that is not a concern ahead of the Euros in Germany.
"It's not an issue and never has been," Southgate said. "I have to deliver a successful tournament for England and there's enough work involved in that.
"I think everybody would expect that's where my focus should be."
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