Jens Askou was released by Sparta Prague.
Now, IFK Göteborg have bought out Stefan Billborn from Sarpsborg instead.
I'm no miracle worker. But I know how I want my team to play, says the new "Blåvitt" coach.
There were rumours about Stefan Billborn already last year, when IFK Göteborg hired Ola Larsson as technical director.
When it comes to Stefan Billborn. I actually want him to move in with me, joked Ola Larsson then.
A year later, the former Hammarby coach is clear for "Blåvitt". Even assistant coach Joachim Björklund – with a past as a player in FIK Göteborg – is following from Norwegian Sarpsborg.
It's going to be inspiring. Everyone knows it's a big club that has had a tough time in recent years, says Billborn.
The contract with IFK Göteborg is signed for 3.5 years.
Many changes
For "Blåvitt", it's simultaneously about yet another coaching change.
The club has had some tough years both economically and sportingly, which has led to some turbulence on the coaching post.
Last year, Mikael Stahre was sacked with a few weeks left until the season premiere.
After a few months with the temporary duo Alexander Tengryd and William Lundin, the Dane Jens Askou was recruited. But it was only a year in Göteborg before he was bought out by Sparta Prague.
Now, "Blåvitt" has instead brought in a coaching duo from Norway.
Ola Larsson does not want to go into the economic details of the quick coaching change.
There are things in the agreement between us and Sparta and with Sarpsborg. So I can't comment on that. However, we are pleased with both agreements, says he.
The new coaching solution is simultaneously a return for Joachim Björklund, who played for IFK Göteborg until 1995, before moving on as a foreign pro in Italy and Spain, among other places.
I hope I've been brought in for what I've done as a coach, not because I played here 30 years ago, says the former national team defender.
I want to look more at the future than it being a nostalgia trip.
"Hole in the head"
The duo is now taking over IFK Göteborg, which after the spring season is in 13th place in the men's Allsvenskan, just above the relegation spot.
According to Stefan Billborn, it's now about speeding up slowly rather than starting from scratch.
It has to go faster than it has. But I think it's important that we don't just come here and throw everything out, says he.
It would be a hole in the head to think that you can change everything. There's a lot that has been good, then we'll add a little at a time.
2024–: Stefan Billborn.
2023–2024: Jens Berthel Askou.
2023: Alexander Tengryd and William Lundin.
2021–2023: Mikael Stahre.
2020–2021: Roland Nilsson.
2018–2020: Poya Asbaghi.
2015–2017: Jörgen Lennartsson.
2012–2014: Mikael Stahre.
2007–2011: Stefan Rehn/Jonas Olsson.
