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During the first third of this year’s Allsvenskan, IFK Norrköping was the best in the series. But in the end, the major league advantage turned to nothing. Because when the season ended at home against Helsingborg on Sunday, and Beijing had a chance to pinch third place, which meant games in Europe in 2021, it was a 4-3 loss.
The victory against an already relegated HIF would have been enough to finish third, with a Häcken cross against Kalmar, but now Beijing lands in sixth place.
– This was a match in which we played to be third and finished sixth. For IFK Norrköping, it is a huge disappointment. The game as a whole is also disappointing. We were too flat on our defensive play throughout the game. It was not a good performance. It is a failure that we land where we do. This is a very heavy afternoon, and of course the responsibility is mine, says manager Jens Gustafsson.
– If we summarize the season, it is a failure that we finish where we are.
How do you explain that it can be like this, when a victory for you was enough for Europe and you met a team already relegated?
– There are probably many explanations. One is that Helsingborg is probably better than the table shows. That should probably be clear to you. Another explanation is that we started the game as we did and released two fixed situations … we had already conceded three goals there. If you concede four goals it will be difficult, even if we are good offensively. So the explanation lies in the fact that Helsingborg is better than you think and that we were bad, to put it bluntly.
How do you see the end of the year considering the first third of the season?
– The first thing I can say is that this is a great failure and a great disappointment. And the responsibility is mine.
– If we go back to rounds one to ten, we were fantastic. Then, as a team, leaders, players and fans we have suffered the expectations that arose from there. It has stressed us out and we haven’t really been back at any point. It has been a difficult period to recover.
To what extent is it due to disappointment that you got off to such a good start?
– It’s hard to say, but today we could have taken third place in victory. It is clear that many even before the game saw this season as a failure, but I do not think it would have been done in the same way if the winners had been more tainted throughout the season.
– But it is clear that it comes down to this achievement, which leads to zero points when a victory would have given a third place. Then there wouldn’t have been much to complain about, I think. But now there is a lot.
Gustafsson has a deal with IFK Norrköping for 2021, but during the year it is rumored to be relevant to both AIK and IFK Gothenburg. Recently, it has also been placed in Ålborg, Denmark.
Now the coach is speechless about his future in Beijing, which he leaves entirely in the hands of the club’s management.
Do you feel like you are the right man to lead the team?
– Not really my question to answer. The board must answer that.
What do you think yourself?
– I’m talking to the managers.
Would you understand if the club’s management considers that it should go separate ways?
– Asks many questions that you can ask management.
But you have thoughts on that, right?
– I do not like. I accept what the board thinks, says Gustafsson.
The soccer channel has sought out Norrköping’s president, Peter Hunt.
