When he arrived on the yellow and blue bench in 2017, Sweden seemed on a downward spiral after leaving the world top 10 for the first time in its history.

He had succeeded Pia Sundhage, a legend of Swedish football since she had finished top scorer and best player of the very first Euro, in 1984, which remains to this day their only major trophy for men and women combined.

Gold medalist at the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games and finalist of the 2011 World Cup as coach of the USA, she had not had the same success in Sweden, eliminated in the half of "her" Euro, in 2013 and in the quarter, there five years old, which had precipitated his departure.

Media personality and regular guest on TV shows, Sundhage was the opposite of Gerhardsson who does not seek light and fame.

"I'm constantly chasing perfection and obviously that would be to get to the top. But what would make me even happier is to see the players happy, winning gold... I would get a lot more satisfaction out of it." , assured the 62-year-old coach to the Dagens Nyheter newspaper in June.

Since taking office, his main objective has been to stay in the shadows as much as possible.

"I want the players to be the center of attention," he explained.

"Expert in changing your mind"

With a bronze medal at the last World Cup and silver at the Tokyo Olympics, they have in any case become declared candidates for the title in all competitions and point just behind the United States in the FIFA rankings.

"Pia Sundhage has lifted women's football, Peter Gerhardsson has raised the national team," Svenska Dagbladet sports columnist Anders Lindblad summed up nicely just before a June friendly against Brazil. where Sundhage now officiates.

Swedish coach Peter Gerhardsson against Switzerland at the Euro in Sheffield, July 13, 2022 FRANCK FIFE AFP / Archives

In front of 33,000 people gathered in the Friends Arena in Stockholm, a record, Sweden had outclassed the Brazilians 3-1.

Before taking charge of the selection, Gerhardsson, who notably played at Hammarby, coached BK Häcken, a club from Gothenburg, which he had led to victory in the Swedish Cup in 2016.

A highly appreciated coach, he enjoys cultivating an image of a slightly nonchalant perfectionist in the face of the media.

"I'm an expert in changing your mind," he explained to them before the first pool match against the Dutch defending champions (1-1).

Asked whether he had decided between a three or four defense, he answered with a hesitant yes, immediately adding that he had already changed his mind just before a match.

The Swedes too strong for Portugal (5-0) at the Euro, July 17, 2022 at Leigh Daniel MIHAILESCU AFP / Archives

"I think I've made my decision, but I don't trust myself," he added, explaining that his assistants could still turn things around and that, all in all, it allowed the future opponent to be left in the fog.

But, Tuesday, there will be no more hesitation possible if Sweden wants to cross the English obstacle and dream of gold.

© 2022 AFP