Catch up with Head Coach Thomas Stewart in Sweden
UEFA A Head Coach Thomas Stewart embraced a new challenge when he took the Head Coach role at Swedish side Ytterhogdals. At the mid way point of the season, Jobs4football caught up with Thomas to get an update on the club and his own progression.
Here is what Thomas had to say:
“Since the return of the players after the break, we have had another few players leave and some new acquisitions. This has been a familiar theme throughout the season but I feel confident we have players that will now enhance what we already have been building here in Ytterhogdal, Sweden.”
Not only are the club building on the pitch, Thomas has used his football network to secure some quality signings that will add value on and off the pitch for the second half of the season. He highlighted, “I am delighted with some of the names that have signed, with previous experiences playing for Celtic and Tottenham Hotspur respectively. I look forward to the games ahead and believe we can have a good second half of the season and reach the targets within the group.”
Although his young side lost the first game back after the break, with Thomas there is always a sense of optimism and there are definite signs of improvements and potentially a Cup Final win to look forward to,
“I am pleased with our response to loosing our first game. We responded well and took accountability of our roles and responsibilities on the pitch. We gathered together as a team and gave 100% effort to come out on top in a 2-1 victory over Älgarna Härnosänd. Three days later we reached the final of the DM cup defeating Östersund FK 19 with a convincing 5-1 win. We play the final in a few weeks and will be all out to win in order to reach the group stages of the Swedish cup which would be a fantastic achievement for the club, especially with the challenges we have faced. I am also pleased with the standards we are setting ,and continue to push and play in a manner which allows players to control and dominate possession. I think we have to have that principle of courage and hard work whenever we train or play, giving everything, allowing ourselves to get better, make mistakes, grow and learn on a daily basis and game to game. Internally there is huge player development and I am seeing increased ability within the group. We as a team have been playing well and it’s about striving for consistency and picking up as many points as possible now.”
The role with Ytterhogdal has no doubt added value to Thomas’ coaching experiences. having dealt with challenges within a new culture and environment. However he certainly has not been phased with the ups and downs of football management life in Sweden,
“As Head Coach I have to push and challenge my players to see change within their play, whether that’s on the field, or during video analysis to see results and aid development everyday and continue to have a feel good factor and relationship with everyone away from football. This has been the culture I’ve been creating and the community is right behind us. I look forward to the remaining games, which end in late October and I believe we are definitely on course to succeed. All this will be achieved through hard work and sacrifice both individually and collectively.Ytterhogdal is certainly a great place to learn and evolve, as football here has given me so many different challenges along the way, which has kept me adapting, learning and developing at a great pace.”
Jobs4football would like to wish Thomas all the best for the remainder of the season and lets push for that Cup win ! Bring it home!