Marcus Sjöberg, coach of Sweden's men's table tennis team, has denied reports that he resigned ahead of the team world championships. The Swedish Table Tennis Federation confirms he remains in the role. The reports surfaced days before a training camp in Malmö.
SVT Sport reported on Sunday that Marcus Sjöberg had resigned due to conflicts within the team, just a week before the team world championships in London starting April 28.
Sjöberg, who took over in June last year, strongly denied the claims to Expressen: “There is no truth at all in this. It has been a challenging period but to take it that far and go on false rumors, that is not true.” He acknowledged differing opinions in the team over time and efforts to find a solution.
Federation chair Tomas Eriksson was initially brief but later told TT: “Marcus is our captain.” In a press release, the federation stated: “Marcus has never resigned. In good dialogue between players and team leadership, a plan has been laid that we believe will be good for all involved, and we look very much forward to the Team World Championships in London.”
The conflicts primarily involve Truls Möregårdh and his circle against the rest of the players. SVT reported Möregårdh demanded his own apartment and meals during the camp. Möregårdh's father Carl declined to comment. The training camp starts next week in Malmö.