Swedes turn to Kim Kallstrom to revive footballing fortunes
Kallstrom was presented to the media on Wednesday as the SvFF's answer to an alarming slide in form for the senior national teams that has seen the men miss out on the Euro 2024 finals in Germany, while the women will miss out on next year's Olympic tournament for the first time in their history.
"Football is a lot about energy, and having that burning desire to try to develop and change and do things better, and always to be part of positive change," Kallstrom told Reuters after his unveiling at the SvFF headquarters near the Friends Arena.
After a career that saw him represent French clubs Rennes and Olympique Lyonnais, Premier League side Arsenal and Russia's Spartak Moscow among others, the 41-year-old retired from playing in 2017 before embarking on a very different path.
"I've been a stay-at-home dad while my wife went to medical school, so I took great care of the children," he says with a wry smile, admitting that football was never too far from his thoughts.
"I also had an interesting education, the Masters for International Players (MIP), which is a program that more or less prepares former football players to roles like this," he added.
"We (ex-players) can bring our knowledge and expertise forward, but obviously, we need some more tools in the toolbox and I think I have that now. And so I'm very pleased to be able to try out all my skills and all my ideas in this new role," Kallstrom explained.
Known as a box-to-box midfielder with boundless energy and a precise, powerful left foot, Kallstrom hopes to hit the ground running when his new job begins on Jan. 1, and appointing a new coach for the men's national team following the departure of Janne Andersson is his first major task.
NUMBER ONE PRIORITY
"That is a priority, number one, but after that, there are a lot of things to be done, but I think we need to take our time," Kallstrom said.
"We need to analyse a little bit where we are, why we are there, where we want to go, how we can get there, and who the people are who are going to implement all that. So we have quite a large task in front of us, but you know, that's the fun."
Kallstrom will be helped in his work by a contacts book bulging with the phone numbers of great players and coaches such as Arsene Wenger, who brought him on loan to Arsenal in 2014.
"I think the last time we spoke was with the MIP program, I think he really, really likes former players to educate themselves, and then trying to be a part of the football industry and I'm trying to develop it," Kallstrom said.
"In the back our minds we will always be players, so we've always held the best interests of the players in our minds."
Kallstrom said he wouldn't rule out contacting his former mentor as he seeks to get Swedish football back on track.
"That's not impossible - great advice from great people who have lived this before? I think 100%, I completely understand that I don't have all the answers," Kallstrom said.
"Sharing the responsibilities is important, but also taking advice from people who have actually done it, so I'm gonna hopefully reach out to some people to try to help me and guide me."
