IFK Göteborg have dismissed head coach Stefan Billborn following a poor run of results that began with a home loss to FCI Levadia in the UEFA Conference League.
The Swedish side lost 2-1 at home to Levadia in Tuesday’s Conference League second qualifying round first leg, before being beaten 4-1 away by Allsvenskan leaders Sirius on Sunday. Supporters at Gamla Ullevi called for Billborn to resign after the European match and the club acted accordingly on Monday.
Players publicly defended the 53-year-old after the loss to Levadia, insisting responsibility lay with the squad. Full-back Felix Eriksson said: “It’s our fault. We make too many simple mistakes. It’s completely clear – all the players support Stefan and ‘Jocke’ 100%. There’s no point even discussing it. We have to raise our level.” Captain August Erlingmark added: “There’s nobody else to blame but ourselves.”
Billborn had been in charge since the summer of 2024 and guided Göteborg to fourth place last season. This year the 18-time Swedish champions are 13th after 14 league matches.
Assistant coach Joachim Björklund, 55, has been placed in charge. Sporting director Jesper Jansson thanked Billborn in a club statement, while saying Björklund has been tasked with bringing “new ideas” to improve performances and results.
Björklund’s first match as head coach will be Thursday’s second leg against Levadia in Tallinn at A. Le Coq Arena at 19:30.
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Source: https://soccernet.ee/artikkel/fannid-said-oma-tahtmise-levadia-eurovastane-andis-peatreenerile-kinga
