Torbjörn Nilsson
Encyclopedia
Torbjörn Anders Nilsson (born in Västerås
, 9 July 1954) is a Swedish
former football striker and coach. He is considered to be one of the best Swedish footballers of all time, having won the Swedish championship
twice and the UEFA Cup
once with IFK Göteborg
, where he spent most of his career. He also had a less successful spell in the Netherlands
with PSV Eindhoven and a better one in Germany
with 1. FC Kaiserslautern
. Nilsson has had various levels of success as a manager.
on 9 July 1954, and raised in Hallstahammar
. He and his family (father Göte, mother Daisy, the brothers Rolf and Bosse and sister Rose-Marie) moved to Partille, outside Gothenburg
, before he started school, and he began his footballing career in Jonsereds IF
at the age of seven or eight. Nilsson joined IFK Göteborg
for the 1975 season, and helped the club climb back to the top tier of Swedish football, Allsvenskan
, by winning Division 2 in 1976. He tried his luck abroad with PSV Eindhoven, but returned to IFK after only one season. He then helped the team to a treble
in 1982, the Swedish championship
(IFK won both Allsvenskan
and the title-deciding play-off), Svenska Cupen
, and the UEFA Cup
. He was awarded Guldbollen
, the Swedish footballer of the year award, for his heroics.
Nilsson moved to Kaiserslautern
in Germany
, where he played two seasons, and was about to move to Benfica when his former Göteborg manager Sven-Göran Eriksson
left that club. Instead, Torbjörn Nilsson moved home to Gothenburg and his former club. When he ended his playing career after three seasons due to knee problems, Nilsson had led the club to another Swedish Championship, and nearly a European Cup
final in 1986. IFK was eliminated by FC Barcelona
after having won the home leg 3–0. They lost the away match by the same score. Nilsson still regrets not taking a penalty in the ensuing penalty shootoout
, which forced two young and inexperienced players—Roland Nilsson
and Per Edmund Mordt
—to the spot. Both missed their penalties.
It is a mystery to a lot of Swedes how Nilsson with all his talent never really made it big when playing for PSV and Kaiserslatern, but according to himself he was to shy to make it in those rougher top club environments.
Despite Torbjörn Nilsson's so-so stays abroad, and his short career in the Swedish national team
—for whom he played only 28 matches and scored nine goals—he is considered to be one of the greatest Swedish footballers of all time. He declined to play for the national team for four years in the early 1980s when he was at his prime, the most important reason for this was a conflict between him and the coach Lars 'Laban' Arnesson
, who mixtured a lot with different formations, which did not suit the playing style that Nilsson liked. He instead concentrated on his club team, but made a comeback in the national team in 1984, scoring a goal in the 3–1 win against Portugal
in the 1986 World Cup qualification
. Nilsson was elected to the Swedish football Hall of Fame
in 2003.
, then in Division 1, in 1991. The club was relegated to Division 2, but managed to advance two divisions into Allsvenskan the next year, thanks to the Swedish league system at the time. The luck did not last, however, and Örgryte was relegated from the highest league in 1993. Nilsson moved to IK Oddevold
from Uddevalla
, and brought the club to Allsvenskan for the first time in its history in 1995. He left his job after the season and did not take a new one for a year.
He then took the job as manager of Västra Frölunda IF
in 1997, and for the third time coached a team to a promotion to Allsvenskan. He stayed as manager for Västra Frölunda for two seasons and led the club to a fifth and seventh place, the two best seasonal results the club has enjoyed. He took another one year break before starting his fourth spell as manager for a Gothenburg club, BK Häcken
, in 2001. He only stayed for one year, not being able to keep the club in the highest league. Instead he became the manager of the Sweden under-21 team
, leading the team through a successful qualification to the 2004 UEFA U-21 Championship
, where the team narrowly lost the semi-final and third place matches after penalty shootoouts and extra time, respectively. He did not coach any team between 2004 and 2008, but then resumed his managerial career in Gothenburg's best women's team, Kopparbergs/Göteborg FC
.
Västerås
Västerås is a city in central Sweden, located on the shore of Lake Mälaren in the province Västmanland, some 100 km west of Stockholm...
, 9 July 1954) is a Swedish
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
former football striker and coach. He is considered to be one of the best Swedish footballers of all time, having won the Swedish championship
Swedish football champions
Swedish football champions is a title held by the winners of the highest Swedish football league played each year, Allsvenskan. IFK Göteborg holds the record of most titles with 18 Swedish championships. After winning the 2011 Allsvenskan, Helsingborgs IF are the reigning Swedish football...
twice and the UEFA Cup
UEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
once with IFK Göteborg
IFK Göteborg
IFK Göteborg is a Swedish professional football club based in Gothenburg. Founded in 1904, the club has won 18 national championship titles, five national cup titles, and two UEFA Cups....
, where he spent most of his career. He also had a less successful spell in the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
with PSV Eindhoven and a better one in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
with 1. FC Kaiserslautern
1. FC Kaiserslautern
1. Fußball-Club Kaiserslautern, also known as 1. FCK, FCK or simply Kaiserslautern, is a German association football club based in Kaiserslautern, Rhineland-Palatinate. On 2 June 1900, Germania 1896 and FG Kaiserslautern merged to create FC 1900...
. Nilsson has had various levels of success as a manager.
Playing career
Torbjörn Nilsson was born in VästeråsVästerås
Västerås is a city in central Sweden, located on the shore of Lake Mälaren in the province Västmanland, some 100 km west of Stockholm...
on 9 July 1954, and raised in Hallstahammar
Hallstahammar
Hallstahammar is a locality and the seat of Hallstahammar Municipality in Västmanland County, Sweden with 10,300 inhabitants in 2005.-Overview:...
. He and his family (father Göte, mother Daisy, the brothers Rolf and Bosse and sister Rose-Marie) moved to Partille, outside Gothenburg
Gothenburg
Gothenburg is the second-largest city in Sweden and the fifth-largest in the Nordic countries. Situated on the west coast of Sweden, the city proper has a population of 519,399, with 549,839 in the urban area and total of 937,015 inhabitants in the metropolitan area...
, before he started school, and he began his footballing career in Jonsereds IF
Jonsereds IF
Jonsereds IF is a Swedish football club located in Jonsered, about east of Gothenburg . The club was founded on the 2nd May 1923 following the merger of Jonsereds GoIF and Bokedalens IF. Jonsereds IF currently plays in Division 2 Norra Götaland which is the fourth tier of Swedish football...
at the age of seven or eight. Nilsson joined IFK Göteborg
IFK Göteborg
IFK Göteborg is a Swedish professional football club based in Gothenburg. Founded in 1904, the club has won 18 national championship titles, five national cup titles, and two UEFA Cups....
for the 1975 season, and helped the club climb back to the top tier of Swedish football, Allsvenskan
Allsvenskan
Allsvenskan is a Swedish professional league for association football clubs. At the top of the Swedish football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. Contested by 16 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with Superettan...
, by winning Division 2 in 1976. He tried his luck abroad with PSV Eindhoven, but returned to IFK after only one season. He then helped the team to a treble
The Treble
The term treble or Treble is used in association football to refer to a team winning three trophies in a single season. Honours usually considered to contribute to a treble are the top-tier domestic league competition, domestic cup competitions, and continental tournaments; although this depends to...
in 1982, the Swedish championship
Swedish football champions
Swedish football champions is a title held by the winners of the highest Swedish football league played each year, Allsvenskan. IFK Göteborg holds the record of most titles with 18 Swedish championships. After winning the 2011 Allsvenskan, Helsingborgs IF are the reigning Swedish football...
(IFK won both Allsvenskan
Allsvenskan
Allsvenskan is a Swedish professional league for association football clubs. At the top of the Swedish football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. Contested by 16 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with Superettan...
and the title-deciding play-off), Svenska Cupen
Svenska Cupen
Svenska Cupen , is a knockout cup competition in Swedish football and the main Swedish football cup. Svenska Cupen usually refers to the men's tournament, although a women's tournament is also held. Each year 98 teams compete, comprising the 16 teams from Allsvenskan and the 16 teams of Superettan...
, and the UEFA Cup
UEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
. He was awarded Guldbollen
Guldbollen
Guldbollen, , is a Swedish football award given by the Aftonbladet and the Swedish Football Association to the best male Swedish footballer each year....
, the Swedish footballer of the year award, for his heroics.
Nilsson moved to Kaiserslautern
1. FC Kaiserslautern
1. Fußball-Club Kaiserslautern, also known as 1. FCK, FCK or simply Kaiserslautern, is a German association football club based in Kaiserslautern, Rhineland-Palatinate. On 2 June 1900, Germania 1896 and FG Kaiserslautern merged to create FC 1900...
in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, where he played two seasons, and was about to move to Benfica when his former Göteborg manager Sven-Göran Eriksson
Sven-Göran Eriksson
Sven-Göran Eriksson , in Sweden commonly referred to just by his nickname Svennis, is a Swedish ex-football manager. From October 2010 to October 2011 he managed Football League Championship side Leicester City....
left that club. Instead, Torbjörn Nilsson moved home to Gothenburg and his former club. When he ended his playing career after three seasons due to knee problems, Nilsson had led the club to another Swedish Championship, and nearly a European Cup
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
final in 1986. IFK was eliminated by FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona
Futbol Club Barcelona , also known as Barcelona and familiarly as Barça, is a professional football club, based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain....
after having won the home leg 3–0. They lost the away match by the same score. Nilsson still regrets not taking a penalty in the ensuing penalty shootoout
Penalty shootout (football)
A penalty shoot-out, referred to as kicks from the penalty mark in the Laws of the Game, is the FIFA official term for a method used in association football to decide which team progresses to the next stage of a tournament following a tied game...
, which forced two young and inexperienced players—Roland Nilsson
Roland Nilsson
Roland Nilsson is a Swedish football manager and the current manager of FC Copenhagen. As a player, Nilsson played 116 games for Sweden, making him second only to Thomas Ravelli in international appearances for Sweden...
and Per Edmund Mordt
Per Edmund Mordt
Per Edmund Mordt is a retired Norwegian football defender and midfielder.Mordt was born in Oslo. During his club career, Mordt played for Kolbotn IL, Vålerenga IF, IFK Göteborg, SK Brann and Drøbak/Frogn IL. He also amassed 31 caps for the Norwegian national team, scoring 1 goal.-External links:*...
—to the spot. Both missed their penalties.
It is a mystery to a lot of Swedes how Nilsson with all his talent never really made it big when playing for PSV and Kaiserslatern, but according to himself he was to shy to make it in those rougher top club environments.
Despite Torbjörn Nilsson's so-so stays abroad, and his short career in the Swedish national team
Sweden national football team
The Swedish national football team represents Sweden in association football and is controlled by the Swedish Football Association, the governing body for Football in Sweden. Sweden's home ground is Råsunda Stadium in Stockholms län and their head coach is Erik Hamrén. Sweden made their first...
—for whom he played only 28 matches and scored nine goals—he is considered to be one of the greatest Swedish footballers of all time. He declined to play for the national team for four years in the early 1980s when he was at his prime, the most important reason for this was a conflict between him and the coach Lars 'Laban' Arnesson
Lars Arnesson
Lars "Laban" Arnesson was the coach of the Sweden national football team from 1980 to 1986.Arnesson had great success as a trainer for Östers IF and got the job as coach for the national team 1980. He didn't take the team to any World Cup, and resigned in 1986.He also played for Djurgårdens IF in...
, who mixtured a lot with different formations, which did not suit the playing style that Nilsson liked. He instead concentrated on his club team, but made a comeback in the national team in 1984, scoring a goal in the 3–1 win against Portugal
Portugal national football team
The Portugal national football team represents Portugal in association football and is controlled by the Portuguese Football Federation, the governing body for football in Portugal. Portugal's home ground is Estádio Nacional in Oeiras, and their head coach is Paulo Bento...
in the 1986 World Cup qualification
1986 FIFA World Cup qualification
A total of 121 teams entered the 1986 FIFA World Cup qualification rounds, competing for a total of 24 spots in the final tournament. Mexico, as the hosts, and Italy, as the defending champions, qualified automatically, leaving 22 spots open for competition...
. Nilsson was elected to the Swedish football Hall of Fame
Hall of Fame
A hall of fame, wall of fame, walk of fame, walk of stars or avenue of stars is a type of attraction established for any field of endeavor to honor individuals of noteworthy achievement in that field...
in 2003.
Coaching career
After ending his professional playing career, Torbjörn Nilsson acted as playing manager for his youth club Jonsereds IF, before becoming manager of Örgryte ISÖrgryte IS
Örgryte IS, also commonly referred to as ÖIS, is a Swedish football club based in Gothenburg.-History:The club was founded on 4 December 1887 and participated in the first football match in Sweden on 22 May 1892. Örgryte IS has won 12 national championship titles and one national cup title. After...
, then in Division 1, in 1991. The club was relegated to Division 2, but managed to advance two divisions into Allsvenskan the next year, thanks to the Swedish league system at the time. The luck did not last, however, and Örgryte was relegated from the highest league in 1993. Nilsson moved to IK Oddevold
IK Oddevold
IK Oddevold is a Swedish football club located in Uddevalla, the name "Oddevold" being an older form of Uddevalla. The club, formed on 3 July 1932, currently plays in Sweden's third-flight league, Division 1...
from Uddevalla
Uddevalla
Uddevalla is a city and the seat of Uddevalla Municipality, Västra Götaland County, Sweden with 30,513 inhabitants in 2005.It is located at the bay Byfjorden, of the south-eastern part of the sea known as Skagerrak...
, and brought the club to Allsvenskan for the first time in its history in 1995. He left his job after the season and did not take a new one for a year.
He then took the job as manager of Västra Frölunda IF
Västra Frölunda IF
Västra Frölunda Idrottsförening is a Swedish football club located in Gothenburg. The club, formed January 1930, is most known for its ability to produce talented youths...
in 1997, and for the third time coached a team to a promotion to Allsvenskan. He stayed as manager for Västra Frölunda for two seasons and led the club to a fifth and seventh place, the two best seasonal results the club has enjoyed. He took another one year break before starting his fourth spell as manager for a Gothenburg club, BK Häcken
BK Häcken
BK Häcken is a Swedish football club based in Gothenburg. The club, formed on 2 August 1940, is currently playing in the Swedish premier division, Allsvenskan after being promoted in 2008.- The beginning :...
, in 2001. He only stayed for one year, not being able to keep the club in the highest league. Instead he became the manager of the Sweden under-21 team
Sweden national under-21 football team
The Swedish U-21 national football team is the football team representing Sweden in competitions for under-21 year old players. Sweden U21's current captain is Jiloan Hamad with Jakob Johansson as vice captain.-UEFA European U-21 Championship Record:...
, leading the team through a successful qualification to the 2004 UEFA U-21 Championship
2004 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship
UEFA U-21 Championship 2004 was the 14th staging of UEFA's European Under-21 Football Championship. The final tournament was hosted by Germany between 27 May and 8 June 2004.Italy U-21s won the competition for the fifth time...
, where the team narrowly lost the semi-final and third place matches after penalty shootoouts and extra time, respectively. He did not coach any team between 2004 and 2008, but then resumed his managerial career in Gothenburg's best women's team, Kopparbergs/Göteborg FC
Kopparbergs/Göteborg FC
Kopparbergs/Göteborg FC is a football club from Gothenburg, Sweden. The club was established in 1970 under the name Landvetters IF. In 2004 the team moved from Landvetter, a Gothenburg suburb, into Gothenburg city and changed its name accordingly...
.
Achievements
- Swedish ChampionSwedish football championsSwedish football champions is a title held by the winners of the highest Swedish football league played each year, Allsvenskan. IFK Göteborg holds the record of most titles with 18 Swedish championships. After winning the 2011 Allsvenskan, Helsingborgs IF are the reigning Swedish football...
: 1982, 1984 - Winner of Svenska CupenSvenska CupenSvenska Cupen , is a knockout cup competition in Swedish football and the main Swedish football cup. Svenska Cupen usually refers to the men's tournament, although a women's tournament is also held. Each year 98 teams compete, comprising the 16 teams from Allsvenskan and the 16 teams of Superettan...
: 1979, 1982 - Winner of the UEFA CupUEFA CupThe UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
: 1981–82 - Semi-finalist in the European CupUEFA Champions LeagueThe UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
: 1985–86European Cup 1985-86The 1985–86 European Cup was the 31st season of UEFA's premier club football tournament, the European Cup. The European Champion Clubs' Cup was won by Steaua Bucharest on penalties in a final against Barcelona... - Top scorer in AllsvenskanAllsvenskanAllsvenskan is a Swedish professional league for association football clubs. At the top of the Swedish football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. Contested by 16 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with Superettan...
: 1981 - Winner of GuldbollenGuldbollenGuldbollen, , is a Swedish football award given by the Aftonbladet and the Swedish Football Association to the best male Swedish footballer each year....
: 1982
Career table
| Club | Season | Dom. league | Dom. cup | Int. cup | Other | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| App | Goals | App | Goals | App | Goals | App | Goals | App | Goals | ||
| Jonsereds IF Jonsereds IF Jonsereds IF is a Swedish football club located in Jonsered, about east of Gothenburg . The club was founded on the 2nd May 1923 following the merger of Jonsereds GoIF and Bokedalens IF. Jonsereds IF currently plays in Division 2 Norra Götaland which is the fourth tier of Swedish football... |
−1970 | Youth football | |||||||||
| Total | –1970 | Youth football | |||||||||
| Jonsereds IF Jonsereds IF Jonsereds IF is a Swedish football club located in Jonsered, about east of Gothenburg . The club was founded on the 2nd May 1923 following the merger of Jonsereds GoIF and Bokedalens IF. Jonsereds IF currently plays in Division 2 Norra Götaland which is the fourth tier of Swedish football... |
1971–74 | ? | ? | ? | ? | 0 | 0 | ? | ? | ? | ? |
| Total | 1971–74 | ? | ? | ? | ? | 0 | 0 | ? | ? | ? | ? |
| IFK Göteborg IFK Göteborg IFK Göteborg is a Swedish professional football club based in Gothenburg. Founded in 1904, the club has won 18 national championship titles, five national cup titles, and two UEFA Cups.... |
1975 | 25 | 14 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 11 | 42 | 26 |
| 1976 | 24 | 20 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 25 | 48 | 48 | |
| Total | 1975–76 | 49 | 34 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 38 | 36 | 90 | 74 |
| PSV Eindhoven | 1976–77 | ? | ? | ? | ? | 0 | 0 | ? | ? | ? | ? |
| Total | 1976–77 | ? | ? | ? | ? | 0 | 0 | ? | ? | ? | ? |
| IFK Göteborg IFK Göteborg IFK Göteborg is a Swedish professional football club based in Gothenburg. Founded in 1904, the club has won 18 national championship titles, five national cup titles, and two UEFA Cups.... |
1977 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 12 | 5 |
| 1978 | 25 | 8 | 5 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 16 | 45 | 31 | |
| 1979 | 25 | 11 | 5 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 15 | 10 | 49 | 27 | |
| 1980 | 25 | 14 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 18 | 14 | 51 | 33 | |
| 1981 | 26 | 20 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 7 | 19 | 18 | 54 | 49 | |
| 1982 | 7 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 2 | 14 | 17 | 29 | 28 | |
| Total | 1977–82 | 114 | 62 | 21 | 22 | 20 | 13 | 85 | 76 | 240 | 173 |
| 1. FC Kaiserslautern 1. FC Kaiserslautern 1. Fußball-Club Kaiserslautern, also known as 1. FCK, FCK or simply Kaiserslautern, is a German association football club based in Kaiserslautern, Rhineland-Palatinate. On 2 June 1900, Germania 1896 and FG Kaiserslautern merged to create FC 1900... |
1982–83 | ? | ? | ? | ? | 8 | 4 | ? | ? | ? | ? |
| 1983–84 | ? | ? | ? | ? | 2 | 2 | ? | ? | ? | ? | |
| Total | 1982–84 | 65 | 22 | 12 | 7 | 10 | 6 | ? | ? | ≥87 | ≥35 |
| IFK Göteborg IFK Göteborg IFK Göteborg is a Swedish professional football club based in Gothenburg. Founded in 1904, the club has won 18 national championship titles, five national cup titles, and two UEFA Cups.... |
1984 | 17 | 14 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 9 | 6 | 32 | 28 |
| 1985 | 22 | 8 | 3 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 17 | 11 | 48 | 27 | |
| 1986 | 10 | 9 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 17 | 15 | 34 | 27 | |
| Total | 1984–86 | 49 | 31 | 8 | 5 | 14 | 14 | 43 | 32 | 114 | 82 |
| IFK Göteborg IFK Göteborg IFK Göteborg is a Swedish professional football club based in Gothenburg. Founded in 1904, the club has won 18 national championship titles, five national cup titles, and two UEFA Cups.... totals |
1975–86 | 212 | 127 | 32 | 30 | 34 | 27 | 166 | 144 | 444 | 329 |
| Jonsereds IF Jonsereds IF Jonsereds IF is a Swedish football club located in Jonsered, about east of Gothenburg . The club was founded on the 2nd May 1923 following the merger of Jonsereds GoIF and Bokedalens IF. Jonsereds IF currently plays in Division 2 Norra Götaland which is the fourth tier of Swedish football... |
1988–90 | ? | ? | ? | ? | 0 | 0 | ? | ? | ? | ? |
| Jonsereds IF Jonsereds IF Jonsereds IF is a Swedish football club located in Jonsered, about east of Gothenburg . The club was founded on the 2nd May 1923 following the merger of Jonsereds GoIF and Bokedalens IF. Jonsereds IF currently plays in Division 2 Norra Götaland which is the fourth tier of Swedish football... totals |
1971–90 | ? | ? | ? | ? | 0 | 0 | ? | ? | ? | ? |
| Career totals | 1971–86 | ≥277 | ≥149 | ≥44 | ≥37 | 44 | 33 | ≥166 | ≥144 | ≥531 | ≥364 |