The head coach of the Swedish national team, Kalle Knutsson, has resigned. The Swedish Baseball and Softball Federation announced the decision at the beginning of the week on their website. Knutsson mentioned the lack of time and a certain disappointment over the outcome of the IBAF Baseball World Cup in September as main reasons for stepping down. He said that the players need a change, so they can take the next step. Additionally it was getting more and more difficult to combine family and work with a full commitment to the national team.
Team manager Ulf Steinvall is sorry about the decision, but at the same time understands it. Knutsson had succeeded Peter Schöön before the 2007 European Championship and led the Swedish team into the final round, finishing in sixth place. In September Sweden lost all three round-one games in front of a home crowd in Pool C against Netherlands Antilles (8-10), South Korea (1-5) and Canada (1-19). Knutsson will continue to assist the federation in an administrative role.
Steinvall and the Swedish Federation are already looking into a replacement and hopes to present a new coach at the start of the new year with the complete staff finalized by the end of January. The next big tournament for the Swedish national team is right around the corner with the European Championship Seniors in Stuttgart, Heidenheim and Neuenburg, Germany from July 23 to August 1, 2010. Sweden will face Greece, Great Britain, Croatia, Italy and Spain in round one of the tournament.
Photo by IBAF, www.2009baseballworldcup.com