Understated Gerhardsson hopes to lead Sweden to Euro glory
Sweden take on England in the semis, with a final place against either France or Ger many up for gr abs. Sweden were among the pre-tournament favour ites in England
As an “expert on changing his mind”, Sweden’s Peter Gerhardsson, the lone male coach among the final four at Euro 2022, prefers to keep a low profile and allow his players to shine.
His side take on hosts England in the semi-finals at Bramall Lane on Tuesday, with a final place against either France or Germany up for grabs.
When Gerhardsson took over as head coach of the Swedish national women’s team in 2017, they seemed to be on a downward trajectory, having dropped out of the world’s top 10 for the first time.
The team had then been headed by Pia Sundhage, who took over the mantle ater guiding the United States to two successive Olympic golds.
Unlike his predecessor, who was a figurehead that brought women’s football to new levels in Sweden, Gerhardsson has not been as prominent a figure in interviews and on TV morning shows, instead opting for a more anonymous role.
“I’m constantly chasing perfection, and that is of course to stand at the top. But I would be even happier by seeing the players be happy, winning the gold... that would give me even more,” the 62-year-old told newspaper Dagens Nyheter in June.
“Since I know how much they have fought. So the joy from seeing them win would probably have contributed to me completely flipping out,” he added.
Reflecting back on the time he took over, he said that one of his main goals had been not to be the centre of atention.
“I want the players to be the ones on show,” he said.
Since taking over, Gerhardsson has guided the team to a World Cup bronze medal in 2019 and an Olympic silver in 2021.
‘I DON’T TRUST MYSELF’: Currently ranked number two in the world, ater the United States, Sweden were among the pre-tournament favourites in England.
“Pia Sundhage elevated women’s football. Peter Gerhardsson elevated the national squad,” sports commentator Anders Lindblad wrote in a commentary for newspaper Svenska Dagbladet ahead of Sweden’s home game against Brazil, currently led by Sundhage, in June.
Gerhardsson’s team managed to emerge as 3-1 winners in front of a record 33,000 fans at the Friends Arena in Stockholm.
Prior to managing the national side, Gerhardsson coached Gothenburg men’s club BK Hacken, who play in the Swedish top flight.
Despite his accolades, Gerhardsson’s humble, and at times carefree, atitude shines through.
ENGLAND A FORMIDABLE FORCE : A negative coronavirus test for manager Sarina Wiegman just hours before England’s quarter-final tie with Spain may turn out to have been the biggest positive so far of Euro 2022 for the hosts.
Wiegman had been isolated from her squad for five days before the clash in Brighton, overseeing training from a distance and behind a mask.
Trailing 1-0 in the last eight against a side renowned for their ability to keep hold of possession, the Lionesses needed inspiration from their Dutch coach.
Wiegman’s presence on the touchline helped change the game as substitutes Alexia Russo and Ella Toone combined for an equaliser six minutes from time that kept England alive.
Georgia Stanway’s stunning strike in extratime then sent the Lionesses through to a fourth consecutive major tournament semi-final.
All three of those previous trips to the last four ended in defeat.
But there is a growing confidence that Wiegman is the difference between this England side and those that have gone before.
The 52-year-old former PE teacher has a perfect record at the Euro, winning 10 matches from 10 ater guiding her native Netherlands to the title five years ago.