After completing his exclusive UEFA training, Kim Källström is ready for a career in soccer.
Bosse Andersson previously mentioned him as a future sporting director at Djurgården.
– The fact that Bosse is so positive about me makes you happy. Do not take this course to no Work with a club, says Kallström.
He didn’t have any classmates. When legends like Arsène Wenger gave a talk, Kim Källström was surrounded by big names.
– It was Didier Drogba, Kaka, Emile Heskey, Florent Malouda, John O’Shea and a host of others. In addition, someone like Lise Klaveness (Norwegian Football Association President) who has become a major player in European football.
In 2019, Kim Källström completed an exclusive training under the auspices of UEFA, which was aimed at former players who aspire to become a sporting director, club manager or other type of football manager. It has now been gone for a while.
– it was amazing. I am very satisfied with the training. It did get a little weird at times with the halo, so it dragged on a little bit, but it was all fun. I will take a lot with me in life.
Work in Djurgården?
what did you learn?
– It was very much about getting an insight into the management within the photo set. There are courses for trainers, but not for those of us aiming for other careers. Player experience may not be enough if you want to take part in club management. How do you build a squad? How do you maintain a budget? How is the entire system structured? Where does the power lie? However you look at the system, it’s important to learn how it all works. To understand world football, he says and continues:
It was important to end up outside one’s comfort zone. Make presentations and work in English. More views.
It’s a flair for education, says Kallstrom. Now he is a television expert on C More broadcasts but he is open to a career in football.
Would you like to work inside a club?
– It’s not impossible. We’ll see what happens. Do not take this course to no Work with the club. Then we’ll see if that happens. You can use this knowledge in other contexts as well.
Boss Andersson has previously expressed himself positively about Kallström’s chances of “taking charge” on the day Dorgarden’s sporting director chooses to step down.
– Of course he could become one after me. Boss Andersson told Fotbolldirekt 2021 that it mostly comes down to what he himself wants and decides what he wants to do:
– He has a lot of qualities. It certainly is. I see that, and everybody sees that, and you could say we’re a little loose-spoken, so we know a little bit what he wants.
“teach me not to be elegant”
How do you feel about the boss’ comments?
– The fact that Bosse is so positive about me makes you happy. He has had a very important role for me in my football career. In addition, he is doing a great job as a sports director at Djurgården. So it’s great that he said that. It is always better when a person is positive than negative. Having said that: no more (regarding a future job).
Have you received any offer from any club?
– without comments.
During the spring, he continued as an expert on UEFA Champions League broadcasts.
What is the most important thing you learned as an expert?
– Good question. I think it’s really a career. You really have to learn how to operate. It’s not just “I played a little ball so I’ll talk now”. But when you learn how TV should really work, everything falls into place. It gets easier. Then there are always people who think you are good or bad. But I learned you can’t be too hip.
What traps did you fall into?
– A lot about language and how you express yourself. How much time would it take? You shouldn’t realize you want to say something four seconds before you go into the commercial. So it is not wise to give an explanation.
On criticism: “Maybe I should back off a little bit”
Källström has been commended for his enthusiasm and ability to convey the player’s point of view. But he has also received some criticism for the way he posts himself on broadcasts, takes up a lot of space at the expense of others and often interrupts others’ thinking.
How do you see this criticism?
I consider all points of view. I never received this criticism internally, but I received it from the outside. But you are always criticized. I never thought I’d want to interrupt someone else. You want dynamic. But sometimes you’re excited, you get the energy and want to join the conversation. Maybe I should back off a bit there. It’s like anything else: you’re far from perfect. Obviously I have to adjust a bit if people see me that way.
What does the referee look like as a player versus an expert?
– pretty much the same. I’ve been through the hard way and learned to deal with people who think I’m doing good or bad. If you think it’s hard, you probably shouldn’t become a TV expert. Some of those who criticize bring facts, others with whom you disagree. I got used to it for a long time and try to be responsive.
What do you want to contribute?
– I hope to convey a clear sense of how players perceive different situations. I mean…it’s fun talking about match pictures, tactics, ways of running but maybe even more fun about everything around you. There, I think this internship you completed could be important.
When Sportbladet asks him to predict the next Champions League winner, Kallström curls up for a long time. He hasn’t been terribly impressed with any club yet, but he’s finally made it to the top of Napoli.
– But can they make it all the way? At the same time, I think it’s great that the wealthiest clubs are not favorites. It is not always enough to spend the most money to win the tournament.
The Champions League play-offs start today and are broadcast on C More and Telia.
