Olle Ericsson (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Olle Ericsson or Eriksson (1920–2006) was a Swedish football coach best known for his time at Halmstads BK.
He began his career in 1939 where he was a part of the Halmstads BK
youth team. In 1946, he along with his team won the junior league against AIK
. He led the team during the first great period in the 1950s.
After his playing days were over, Ericsson turned to coaching. Over his years with the club, he has seen countless talent pass through. Ericsson has discovered Nils Liedholm
as well as trained Björn Nordqvist
and Fredrik Ljungberg
.
Eriksson also worked with Tord Grip
in developing the Swedish National Team
in the 1980s. In 1984, Eriksson told Grip that had an international player for him by the name of Fredrik Ljungberg. Grip thought Eriksson was crazy due to Ljungberg's age, at the time he was eight. Eriksson took special interest in Ljungberg's career and would often pick Ljungberg up from school to put in extra practice. In a 2002 interview, Eriksson said, “ If he hadn’t become a great footballer no one would…. Fredrik is one of my biggest idols.”
He also coached Jönköpings Södra IF
.
He began his career in 1939 where he was a part of the Halmstads BK
Halmstads BK
Halmstads Bollklubb, also called HBK or just Halmstad, is a Swedish football club located in Halmstad in the southwest of Sweden. The club, formed 6 March 1914, competes in the highest Swedish league, Allsvenskan, and has won 4 national championship titles and 1 national cup title...
youth team. In 1946, he along with his team won the junior league against AIK
AIK Fotboll
AIK, , an abbreviation for Allmänna Idrottsklubben, , when needed internationally AIK Stockholm, is a Swedish football club based at Råsunda stadium in Solna, a municipality in Stockholm County bordering to Stockholm City Centre...
. He led the team during the first great period in the 1950s.
After his playing days were over, Ericsson turned to coaching. Over his years with the club, he has seen countless talent pass through. Ericsson has discovered Nils Liedholm
Nils Liedholm
Nils Liedholm was a Swedish football midfielder and coach. Il Barone , as he is affectionately known in Italy, was renowned for being part of Sweden's "Gre-No-Li" trio of strikers along with Gunnar Gren and Gunnar Nordahl at A.C. Milan and the Swedish national team...
as well as trained Björn Nordqvist
Björn Nordqvist
Björn Nordqvist is a former football defender from Sweden. During the 1960s and '70s he was the Swedish national team captain. He played at the 1970 FIFA World Cup, 1974 FIFA World Cup and 1978 FIFA World Cup and in total amassed 115 international matches, and as such held the world record for...
and Fredrik Ljungberg
Fredrik Ljungberg
Karl Fredrik "Freddie" Ljungberg is a Swedish footballer who currently plays as a right winger for Shimizu S-Pulse in Japan. Ljungberg was captain of the Swedish national team until he announced his international retirement after UEFA Euro 2008.Ljungberg was a model for Calvin Klein underwear...
.
Eriksson also worked with Tord Grip
Tord Grip
Tord Grip is a Swedish football manager. Prior to England's exit in the 2006 FIFA World Cup, he was one of Sven-Göran Eriksson's assistant coaches of the English national football team....
in developing the Swedish National Team
Sweden national football team
The Swedish national football team represents Sweden in association football and is controlled by the Swedish Football Association, the governing body for Football in Sweden. Sweden's home ground is Råsunda Stadium in Stockholms län and their head coach is Erik Hamrén. Sweden made their first...
in the 1980s. In 1984, Eriksson told Grip that had an international player for him by the name of Fredrik Ljungberg. Grip thought Eriksson was crazy due to Ljungberg's age, at the time he was eight. Eriksson took special interest in Ljungberg's career and would often pick Ljungberg up from school to put in extra practice. In a 2002 interview, Eriksson said, “ If he hadn’t become a great footballer no one would…. Fredrik is one of my biggest idols.”
He also coached Jönköpings Södra IF
Jönköpings Södra IF
Jönköpings Södra IF is a Swedish football club based in Jönköping. The club, founded on December 9, 1922, plays in Superettan, the second highest league in Sweden...
.