In a surprising turn of events, Jon Dahl Tomasson has been dismissed from his role as Sweden’s national team manager following a stunning 1-0 loss to Kosovo, which has cast doubt on their World Cup qualification prospects.

Tomasson, who previously managed Blackburn and had a notable playing career with clubs like AC Milan and Feyenoord, secured victories in only half of his 18 games at the helm.

This defeat against Kosovo leaves Sweden at the bottom of their qualifying group, having failed to win any of their four matches so far. Tomasson even faced scrutiny from his own squad members.

The Swedish Football Federation announced on Tuesday that the 49-year-old’s tenure has been terminated effective immediately.

Simon Astrom, chairman of the Swedish Football Association, commented, “The decision was made due to the men’s national team not achieving the expected outcomes.”

Jon Dahl Tomasson has been sacked as Sweden manager after Monday night’s shock defeat by Kosovo

Anthony Elanga couldn’t conceal his frustration while leaving the pitch after Monday’s defeat, according to Swedish reports

He added, “There remains a possibility for a playoff in March, and it is our duty to ensure we have the optimal conditions to make it to the World Cup finals.”

‘In this regard, we believe that new leadership is required.’ 

While the Scandinavian nation are not among the big hitters on the continent, they still boast an enviable array of Premier League stars and a frontline, consisting of Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres worth close to £200m.

Sweden have a solitary point from their first four clashes in qualifying and have found the net on only two occasions while leaking a concerning seven at the back. 

On Monday, a first-half goal from Fisnik Asllani proved enough to seal the victory for the visitors, who have now completed the double over Sweden and sit second in their group. 

Tensions unsurprisingly well and truly boiled over in the Swedish camp in the aftermath of the disastrous defeat, with the nation now on the verge of missing out on next summer’s World Cup.

Local outlet SportBladet, reported that a number of stars were thought to be losing confidence in Tomasson after the loss. 

Following his reported explosive outburst, Elanga told reporters later on: ‘We have worked on a system, on how we are going to play. Then it may look a little different when you are on the field. It is also us who are on the field who have to take responsibility.’ 

Defeat to Kosovo leaves the side bottom of their four-team group and winless from four qualifying matches

Isak missed three huge chance to find his country an equaliser, including one in stoppage-time

The Swedes are also believed to have been left bemused by a strange method used by their manager in the build-up to the Kosovo clash in a bid to stop information leaking to the press. 

Tomasson chose to reveal his starting eleven for the fixture just one hour before kick-off in a move which Tottenham Hotspur’s Lucas Bergvall questioned. 

‘It may have happened at some point in my career,’ he said, ‘it doesn’t have a big impact on me but I can’t speak to everyone else.’ 

Bergvall, who’s become one of Thomas Frank’s first names on the team-sheet in north London this season, was withdrawn at half-time in the defeat to Kosovo, revealing afterwards that the manager’s decision was purely a tactical one. 

Sweden face Switzerland and Slovenia in their final two fixtures next month, but cannot obtain automatic qualification.  They are however likely to secure a play-off place after winning their Nations League group, providing six other winners qualify by other means. 

In the statement announcing Tomasson’s dismissal, head of the Swedish federation Kim Kallstrom added: ‘We have a group of players that we believe in very much and want to create new opportunities for them to deliver.

‘We have faith that this team can make it to the World Cup if the chance for the playoffs is there in March. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Jon for this period.

‘Jon has been professional in his relationship with the players, the leaders in the national team staff and with SvFF. It is always sad to go our separate ways, but football is results-based and we have reached a point where results are not enough.’