Swedish football coach Pia Sundhage is forced to leave her role as head coach of Switzerland's women's national team with immediate effect, a month before her contract expires. She expresses surprise and disappointment over the Swiss Football Association's decision. Sundhage led the team to the quarterfinals in the European Championship on home soil earlier this year.
Pia Sundhage, 65 years old, took over as head coach of Switzerland's women's national football team in 2024. Under her leadership, the team reached a historic quarterfinal in the European Championship on home soil. Her contract ran until December 31, 2025, but the Swiss Football Association (SFV) recently announced it would not be renewed.
The news came from the new chairman Peter Knäbel without warning. Sundhage tells SVT Sport: 'After the EM, I indicated that I would like to continue given all the positive things that happened in Switzerland, a historic quarterfinal and so on. Then I heard nothing for three months, and then we met today and he informed me that they have another solution.'
A key factor was her demand for a full-time assistant coach, which could not be met. 'That was one thing that could not be accommodated. I had made that demand, and it had not been preceded by any negotiation. They just said 'you won't get a full-time one.' Then all arguments fall, as it was a minimum requirement from my side,' she says.
Despite two remaining internationals, she leaves immediately. 'It was a bit stubborn actually. The contract is until December 31, but at the same time I fully understand that the next head coach should get some training matches,' explains Sundhage. She would have been open to a four-year extension: 'In four years I will be 69 years old. But I thought 69 is no age for a horse.'
The federation wanted a different setup with more involvement in youth teams, despite Sundhage already integrating young players. She has previously coached Sweden, the USA, and Brazil. Sundhage expresses: 'I am surprised and I am disappointed.'