Tommy Svensson

Tommy Svensson

Personal information
Full name	Leif Tommy Svensson
Date of birth	(1945-03-04) 4 March 1945
Place of birth	Växjö, Sweden
Position(s)	Midfielder
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1964–1971	Östers IF	76	(14)
1971–1973	Standard Liège	41	(3)
1973–1977	Östers IF	103	(11)
Total		220	(28)
International career
1967–1973	Sweden	40	(4)
Managerial career
1974–1984	Östers IF
1988–1990	Tromsø IL
1991–1997	Sweden
2001	Tromsø IL
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Leif Tommy Svensson (born 4 March 1945) is a Swedish football manager and former player. He is best known for playing for Östers IF and the Swedish national football team. He won the Guldbollen in 1969. He managed the Swedish National Team between 1991 and 1997 and led them to a bronze medal in the 1994 World Cup.

He is the son of Stig Svensson and the uncle of Joachim Björklund.

Early years

Thomas Svensson was born 4 March 1945 to father Stig Svensson. Stig was a famous footballer who played for Östers IF and dubbed Mr. Osters.

Svensson, like his father, had a natural talent for football. At just eleven years-old, he debuted for Östers youth team, and allegedly scored eight goals in the match. However, news paper headlines said he was too weak. Tommy bought a barbell and trained. Morning, noon and night, he lifted weights in order to bulk up.

Playing career

His playing career took him to Östers IF as well as Belgian Standard Liège. Throughout his career, he suffered from knee injuries. His injuries almost stopped him from competing in 1968. However, Svensson persevered. He was awarded Guldbollen in 1969 and played at the 1970 FIFA World Cup.

Managing career

After retiring, he started working as the Östers IF coach. He later had a successful period with Tromsø IL, and became national team coach in 1991.

He led the Swedish team to the 1992 European Football Championship semi final as well as a bronze medal at the 1994 FIFA World Cup. He continued with the national team until 1997, and later worked in television with match commentary as well as coaching Tromsø for a second period in 2001.

Outside the Azteca stadium, there is a statue of the best players of each nation was erected. Sweden's representative was Tommy Svensson.

External links

• (Swedish) Guldbollen 1969 (Aftonbladet.se)
• (French) Player profile at Standard de Liège