Sweden have announced the appointment of Bjorn Hamberg as Graham Potter’s national team assistant manager, despite him being Brighton’s Under-18s head coach.
The 40-year-old first worked with Potter during his time at Ostersunds, and the duo quickly formed a strong relationship, which has seen them move together to Swansea, Brighton, and Chelsea.
After Potter was sacked by the Blues, the pair went their separate ways, with Hamberg spending a brief spell at Eredivisie outfit Feyenoord before returning to the south coast to take up the role as a youth coach.
Speaking to Fotboll Skanalen about his recent international appointment, the Swede expressed his gratitude to the Seagulls for allowing him to take two roles, saying: “Of course, it is absolutely fantastic and glorious.I’m excited and very inspired by the environment itself, with all the players and leaders around here.
“I’m lucky to have the employer I have. It’s a fantastic club that saw all the positives in giving me the opportunity to work for my country and represent my country. In my world, I get the best of both worlds. I have my home environment, come in here and then it’s back after the Slovenia match.”
Hamberg had already planned to return to living in Brighton when his time in Holland came to an end, so when a position became available at his former side, the stars aligned for him.
The former Albion first team assistant then explained why he stepped into the Under-18s role, he said: “One of the reasons I took the job in the U18 is to be the main person in charge, to experience it and test myself in that environment.
“Today I have a staff that is on par with, if not greater, than most Allsvenskan teams. My first experience as a head coach has been very, very positive. It’s really something I enjoy.”