This winter I am spending a lot of time in the Swedish mountains and Åre as the resort is called, and which is the perfect place for me.

I’m having a great time and at the same time doing my personal pre-season training before joining the team. Doing some boarding in the mornings, then lots of running, sprinting and going to Gym followed by another 3 hours boarding in the afternoon. As you understand I absolutely love snowboarding, check out the picture a friend of mine took the other day.

I have excellent support up here with local physio therapists that looks after my body. I have actually the hard way found out how important it is to have professionals to look after you while training hard, especially during pre-season and this gets more and more important for every year.

During the winter there has been some reports in media about teams in Europe asking for my service, and as a Player it is always an honour when top teams are interested and evidently this shows that MLS these days is a very reputable League.

I have not made any final decision about the spring as a lot depends on the outcome of the new CBA and lockout threat in MLS.

Stay tuned.

//Freddie.

For the first time in ten years, I’m in the Swedish mountains with my family to celebrate a proper white Christmas. It is very white but a bit cold. Yesterday, It was -18 degrees Celsius when I took the dog for a walk. But it’s great being with my family and I hope that everyone else is having an amazing Christmas.

And remember, be extra generous and show a lot of kindness to each other during Christmas. If there is anything you can do to help less fortunate people regardless what it is or how small. Please do.

Merry Christmas everyone!
//F

Been home in Halmstad Sweden for a while after a very nice trip to London meeting a lot of old friends.

Last weekend I was out having a great time at my Restaurant / Nightclub and really want send a big thanks to my great friend Abbe for creating an outstanding atmosphere at “Gaston´s”!

It’s really nice to be back home for a while spending time with my family and friends, and my dog Amadeus really enjoy the weather with lots of snow and minus 10 Celsius.

// Freddie

Photo: Rbk.no

(I enclose text in Swedish below)

Saw online today that Erik Hamren, currently coach of Rosenborg in Norway, will be the new Swedish National Team Coach.

From the names that has been mentioned lately I personally preferred Erik or Hasse Backe as it is important for Sweden to get a coach with personal experience from both Swedish and International football. That can definitely be said about Erik Hamren.

Have never had him as a coach but remember Erik from when he was at another club in the Swedish league some years back, as it was very clear that he had a positive impact on the team since they started playing very positive football after his arrival. I wish Erik all the best with his new job!

Finally I would like to say that I think the “media circus” around the appointment has been sad to watch and in fact unworthy this very important job, it should have been handled much better.

Good night

//F

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Såg på nätet idag att Erik Hamren blir ny förbundskapten vilket låter riktigt bra.

Av dom namn som nämnts på senare tid tyckte jag det stod mellan Hamren och Backe eftersom det är viktigt att Sverige nu får en tränare med erfarenhet av både svensk och utländsk fotboll. Det tycker jag helt klart man kan säga att Erik uppfyller med sina framgångar i Sverige, Danmark och Norge.

Har ingen personlig erfarenhet av honom som tränare men kommer ihåg när han tränade Örgryte eftersom man tydligt kunde se den inverkan tränaren hade på laget pågrund av att dom började spela en riktigt rolig fotboll. Önskar Erik all framgång med Svenska landslaget!

Kort sista reflektion är att jag tycker den “media cirkus” man lyckats skapa runt tillsättande av detta stora jobb är tråkig och ovärdig, det borde ha kunnat hanteras mycket bättre.

God natt

//F

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A personal reflection in reference to that Sweden’s National Team Coach did his last match against Albania Wednesday.

- Together with the Players Lars secured Sweden´s participation in 5 straight International Championships. This speaks for itself.

The next man in the job should have very good knowledge of Swedish football and experience from matches at the highest International level.

//Freddie