Tommy Svensson

Leif Tommy Svensson[2] (born 4 March 1945) is a Swedish former football manager and player. He is best known for playing for Östers IF and the Sweden national football team. He won the Guldbollen in 1969. He managed Sweden between 1991 and 1997 and led them to a bronze medal at the 1994 FIFA World Cup.

Tommy Svensson
Svensson at the 1970 FIFA World Cup
Personal information
Full name Leif Tommy Svensson
Date of birth (1945-03-04) 4 March 1945
Place of birth Växjö, Sweden
Position(s) Midfielder
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1964–1971 Östers IF 76 (14)
1971–1973 Standard Liège 41 (3)
1973–1977 Östers IF 103 (11)
Total 220 (28)
International career
1967–1973 Sweden[1] 40 (4)
Managerial career
1978–1984 Östers IF (team manager)
1985–1986 Alvesta GIF
1988–1990 Tromsø IL
1991–1997 Sweden
2001 Tromsø IL
Medal record
Men's football
Representing  Sweden (as manager)
FIFA World Cup
Bronze medal – third place1994
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

He is the son of Stig Svensson and the uncle of Joachim Björklund.

Early years

Tommy Svensson was born 4 March 1945 to father Stig Svensson. Stig was a footballer who played for Östers IF and dubbed Mr. Öster.[3]

Svensson, like his father, had a natural talent for football. At just eleven years-old, he debuted for Östers youth team, and allegedly scored eight goals in the match.[4] However, news paper headlines said he was too weak. Tommy bought a barbell and trained. Morning, noon and night, he lifted weights in order to bulk up.[5]

Playing career

His playing career took him to Östers IF as well as Belgian Standard Liège. Throughout his career, he suffered from knee injuries. His injuries almost stopped him from competing in 1968.[6] However, Svensson persevered. He was awarded Guldbollen in 1969 and played at the 1970 FIFA World Cup.[7]

Managing career

After retiring, he started working as the Östers IF team manager while Lars "Laban" Arnesson was the coach. He later had a successful period with Tromsø IL, and became national team coach in 1991.

He led the Swedish team to the 1992 European Football Championship semi final as well as a bronze medal at the 1994 FIFA World Cup. He resigned in 1997 after failing to qualify for UEFA Euro 1996 and 1998 FIFA World Cup, and later worked in television with match commentary as well as coaching Tromsø for a second period in 2001.

Outside the Azteca Stadium, there is a statue of the best players of each nation was erected. Sweden's representative was Tommy Svensson.

Honours

Player

Östers IF

Individual

Manager
Öster
Sweden

References
  1. "Sweden national football team stats". passagen.se (in Swedish). Archived from the original on 9 June 2001.
  2. birthday.se
  3. ""Hemskt att se"".
  4. "Aftonbladet sport: Guldbollen".
  5. "Aftonbladet sport: Guldbollen".
  6. "Aftonbladet sport: Guldbollen".
  7. FIFA.com

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