Thomas Sjöberg (born 6 July 1952) is a Swedish former professional footballer who played as a forward. A full international between 1974 and 1981, he won 45 caps for the Sweden national team and represented his country at the 1978 FIFA World Cup.
Club career Sjöberg played much of his career with Malmö FF in Allsvenskan during the 1970s. Already during his first season for Malmö FF, the club, much to his goal scoring capacity won the top Swedish football league, Allsvenskan in 1974, under English manager Bob Houghton. This was repeated the following season. When he then left for Karlsruher SC in the Bundesliga during the 1976–77 season, his former Swedish club only came second in Allsvenskan, behind Halmstad BK, which were led by another Englishman, Roy Hodgson. As Sjöberg returned to Malmö FF they won Allsvenskan again! So during four years, Malmö FF won Allsvenskan at three occasions, in which Sjöberg participated during the three "golden years" only. With Malmö FF he won Allsvenskan and became Swedish Champion in 1974, 1975 and 1977.
After scoring a goal for Sweden in the 1978 World Cup in Argentina against Brazil, the well bearded Sjöberg become interesting for an Arabian Sheik, who bought him for a club in Saudi Arabia. This became a rather short adventure for him, and likewise a shorter time in the old North American NASL league (not to be confused with current Major League Soccer) and a club from Chicago followed. This time he was absent from Malmö FF for less than 12 months. However he missed an indeed very important season for Malmö FF, and didn't participate in the club's most well known international achievement so far (also by summer of 2014), to reach the final of the European Cup in 1978–79 season. (which though was lost to Nottingham Forest by a single decider). He did though return to Malmö FF for a third time and for some more seasons. He ended his career at Lunds BK.
International career Sjöberg was capped 45 times for the Sweden national team and scored a goal against Brazil in the 1978 FIFA World Cup.
Coaching career He coached BSC Young Boys with Roland Andersson.
Career statistics
International
+ Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsSweden1974101975741976851977102197881197900198071198141Total4514
Scores and results list Sweden's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Sjöberg goal.
+ List of international goals scored by Thomas SjöbergNo.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition116 April 1975Ullevi, Gothenburg, Sweden1–01–1Friendly 219 May 1975Örjans Vall, Halmstad, Sweden4–04–0Friendly 313 August 1975Ullevaal Stadium, Oslo, Norway2–02–0UEFA Euro 1976 qualifying 43 September 1975Windsor Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland2–12–2UEFA Euro 1976 qualifying 516 June 1976Råsunda Stadium, Solna, Sweden2–02–01978 FIFA World Cup qualifying611 August 1976Malmö Stadium, Malmö, Sweden1–06–01972–77 Nordic Football Championship73–0822 September 1976Ullevaal Stadium, Oslo, Norway2–22–31972–77 Nordic Football Championship99 September 1976St. Jakob-Park, Basel, Switzerland1–21–21978 FIFA World Cup qualifying108 June 1977Råsunda Stadium, Solna, Sweden1–02–11978 FIFA World Cup qualifying117 September 1977Ullevaal Stadium, Oslo, Norway1–11–21978 FIFA World Cup qualifying123 June 1978Estadio José María Minella, Mar del Plata, Argentina1–01–11978 FIFA World Cup1322 May 1980Helsinki Olympic Stadium, Helsinki, Finland2–02–01978–80 Nordic Football Championship1412 August 1981Rimnersvallen, Uddevalla, Sweden1–01–0Friendly
Honours Malmö FF Swedish Champion: 1974, 1975, 1977 Svenska Cupen: 1973–74, 1974–75, 1977–78, 1979–80
Individual Stor Grabb: 1976
References
External links
NASL stats