After being fired, William Lundin, 32, gives his opinion on why he had to leave Degerfors IF.

The club’s explanation: shortcomings in the work environment and leadership.

– I have not received any negative feedback about my leadership in the past.

– There are questionable ties between some players and the assistant sports director, says Lundin.

On Thursday, Sportbladet revealed that William Lundin was at risk of being fired by Allsvenskan newcomer Degerfors. A few hours later, the news came that Lundin, who led the team directly back to the top flight in his first year in 2024, had been allowed to leave as head coach.

“It was a surprise because I hadn’t received any such signals before,” he says.

In an interview with Nya Wermlands-Tidningen, Degerfors chairman Ulrika Eriksson explained that it was, among other things, various things in connection with the recent week-long camp on Gotland that were the triggering factor for Lundin being fired.

Did not match the core values

– It wasn’t a specific incident. It was more that what had been going on escalated, Eriksson told NWT. It’s about the work environment and leadership. We on the board are very keen to work according to the values that Degerfors has.

William Lundin:

– I didn’t plan to do any interviews and talk, but I’m surprised when I hear these things about me and my leadership. I want to give my view of what happened and how it can be perceived.

– I have been head coach for 18 months in Degerfors and have not received any indication or negative feedback about my leadership. Increasing the level of demands was the most important thing in the assignment that I was given when I was hired.

What escalated on Gotland?

– I was told that there were three incidents that were perceived as too harsh leadership, says William Lundin.

Can you specify?

– At a training session, I took a player aside and said that I didn’t think his performance in training the day before had been good enough, along with the disappointment that that player came last in the running test.

Who was it about?

– There is no relevance to telling it.

Extra running training

And other events?

– After a training session, I informed that 15 players were going to the gym for strength training and that five players would remain on the field for extra running training because we did not assess their running capacity as good enough. Out of respect and to show that we are doing it together, I led the extra running training myself.

– The third detail should also have been that I informed these five players after running training that there will be tough weeks ahead, that we will work extra hard on their physical capacity so that we as a team have the conditions to stay in the Allsvenskan.

– It has been interpreted as too harsh leadership. Individual players have reacted to these things being brought up before the group, says William Lundin.

How has your collaboration with sports director Patrik Werner worked?

– I have nothing but good things to say about Patrik. We have had 18 fantastic months together. I received a lot of praise throughout 2024 from Patrik for my situational leadership. I brought that with me into this season.

If you haven’t changed, what has gone wrong?

– The only thing that has changed is that we have brought in an assistant sports director.

Sean Sabetkar (former player in Degerfors 2021–2023)?

– Yes. I think there are questionable and unhealthy ties between him and certain players at the club. A few players are given too much influence in sporting decisions. We didn’t see that in 2024.

– I care about Degerfors and want things to go well for the club. I think it is important that the club looks at the problems surrounding these relationships.

Close ties on social media

On social media there are pictures from midfielder Christos Gravius’ wedding two weeks ago with assistant sporting director Sean Sabetkar as one of the attendees and vice versa when Sabetkar got married during the midsummer weekend. Also senior players such as Omar Faraj attended.

– Pictures on social media are not something I intend to comment on at all, says William Lundin.

Have you done nothing wrong?

– Of course, I have certainly made pedagogical mistakes that I could have done differently, but as a player in elite football at the highest level, you have to be able to handle feedback both individually and in a group.

On Sunday, Degerfors held its first training session after Lundin was fired, now with Tobias Solberg as temporary coach.

How was your relationship with the playing squad?

– I have to say that I am overwhelmed by the support I have received after this decision to fire me. Both from players, management staff and also people in the club. For me it is very clear that it is about a couple of players in this case. If it is true that there would be dissatisfaction, says Lundin.

“The Giant Leader”

William Lundin has a contract with Degerfors IF for another 18 months.

You are young, 32 years old. Has this burned you out as a coach?

– No, absolutely not in this case. I feel secure in my leadership but you learn from everything you experience. I am still full of energy but am very sad that I did not get to continue with Degerfors and especially with Patrik Werner who does a great job.

Have you heard from any other clubs?

– Yes, a club has contacted me. But there is nothing more I can say about it, says William Lundin.

check Sportbladet has contacted Sean Sabetkar who declines to comment. Sportbladet has also contacted Degerfors sports director Patrik Werner without success.

Sportbladet has contacted Sean Sabetkar, who declined to comment. Sportbladet has also contacted Degerfors sports director Patrik Werner without success.