If Sweden overcome England in tonight’s crunch Euro 2012 clash in Kiev then Roy Hodgson really has no one to blame but himself.
Sweden’s side is based on a solid back four, a system which was only introduced into the country in 1976 at Halmstad by a 29-year-old looking to make his way as a manager.
Thirty-six years later, Hodgson will proudly take his seat in the England dug-out tonight, but even if his side knock the Scandinavians out of the competition his place in Swedish football history is secure.
Five successive titles at Malmo in the 1980s led to the fans unofficially renaming a section of their ground ‘Roy’s Hörna’ (Roy’s corner) as he revolutionised tactics in Sweden, which had traditionally been built around a 3-5-2 formation.
Members of the current Swedish team talk warmly about growing up watching Hodgson’s Malmo side and coach Erik Hamren is equally complimentary about a man whose reputation was secure everywhere except his homeland before he took the Fulham job in 2007.
“In my opinion Roy is a really good coach,” said Hamren, whose own position will be in doubt if Sweden lose and are eliminated tonight.
“He is a really nice person too. He came to Sweden unknown but became a big name due to the way he made the results and took new influences into Swedish football.
“He is a big name in Swedish football and we shall never forget what he has done for us.
“I am looking forward to meeting him but I hope he is going to have the most headaches after the game!
“But I like him and we have seen so far that he is a good coach, but that is something we really know in Sweden. Is it an advantage that he knows Sweden as well as he does? Well, I know English football really well too.”
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