https://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tobias_Solberg

Unsure if there is any real substance to this?

Looking at his Wiki page, doesn't look like he has a lot of experience at head coach level. In fact looks like in 2024 he was demoted from head coach at Degerfors IF and given the youth coach role.

Oh deary me.

If someone has to edit a picture to make a rumour seem more believable, I am more likely to think I will be the first Notts fan on Mars. I wouldn't worry, just wait for the official news.

He seems to have very little experience 🫤

The Reedtz have always valued managers with some level of experience or a strong reputation. This doesn't seem like the kind of candidate they would choose.

Ian Burchnall, Luke Williams, and Stuart Maynard all had some background in management. Tobias Solberg appears to be just beginning his career, so he surely isn't a realistic option.

Surely the criteria for a work permit would rule him out?

How does the work permit aspect work with managers? The EFL and FA don't seem to be very clear about the rules appointing coaches/managers outside of the United Kingdom.

If football manager is anything to go by - you can appoint as many foreign staff and the visas always get accepted. Have to wait a couple of weeks though.

It is FM though.

I’ve been thinking about how League Two clubs bring in foreign coaches, and honestly, it’s a bit complicated! Here’s my take on it, in simpler terms:

First off, these coaches need something called a Governing Body Endorsement (GBE) from The FA, which is pretty much the biggest challenge. The FA wants to see that the coach has tons of experience (like managing in a decent league for several years) and has the top coaching qualification, which is the UEFA Pro Licence. If they don’t meet those requirements, there’s a panel that can review it, but honestly, I think it’s tough for League Two clubs to get any exceptions.

Then, the League Two club itself needs to get a special Sponsor Licence from the UK government before they can hire someone from outside the UK. Once they have that and the coach gets the GBE, the club issues them a "Certificate of Sponsorship," which is basically just a reference number.

After that, the coach has to go for an International Sportsperson visa. This means filling out an online application, gathering a bunch of documents (like their passport, the GBE, the CoS, proof of English skills), and paying some pretty steep fees. They also have to provide fingerprints and a photo. Usually, if they’re applying from outside the UK, it takes about three weeks to get a decision.

So, how likely is it for these coaches? If the manager ticks all the boxes for The FA’s strict GBE rules, then I’d say they have a good shot. But if they’re banking on that “exceptions panel,” it’s a much tougher road. Basically, it's all about showing they’re “elite” and can genuinely help improve English football, which might be a bit of a stretch for League Two sometimes.

I don't think the club would bring in a coach who is difficult to hire unless their experience or talent is widely recognised.

It doesn't seem very likely that Tobias Solberg is the candidate the Reedtz are most focused on. I could be wrong.

Getting a team that hasn’t been in the Swedish top division since 1997 and then keeping them there for a few seasons is quite impressive to be fair. Degerfors aren’t exactly a club with a big budget (from what I can find) and average less than 4,000 fans per match. The big clubs in Sweden get around 20,000…

Again, no idea how credible or how likely this all is. He has managed in the Swedish top division and if he has a pro-license it would, given the info from @JustLikeJuve, seem like getting a permit might be possible.

I have no doubt that he is a decent coach who has a lot of knowledge of players & the Swedish League system.

My question would be, will he be able to improve on the previous Head Coach. Would the fact that he hadn't managed a team in the English football pyramid be a handicap for him?

My choice would be a person who has managerial experience of a Club in the EFL. I think that is important to take Notts to the next level.

That is the £1 million question @Robbie , I guess there is only one way of finding out!

I get your point though, if you have someone who knows the league you would assume that gives them an advantage. But at the same time experience is no guarantee of success either, Paul Simpson, Mark Bonner, Nigel Adkins, Scott Lindsey and John Coleman all have promotions in the EFL and all of them got sacked last season...

Let’s put it this way, I’m glad I don’t have to choose the next head coach!

😉 Tobias honest, I’m only interested in managers who have coached in the EFL, so I’d overlook Solberg for that reason.

Whoever comes in will have my full support, but I want someone with the experience, coaching ability, and tactics to get the best out of the squad. There are some very good managers out there, and I hope we’re seriously considering them, as we’re a good fit for clubs.

In my opinion, it all comes down to the wages.

Some new names in the betting with low odds, the Hartlepool manager and the assistant head coach at Lincoln City

In the last statement about the new head of performance the club stated 'As well as introducing our new coaching team, we’ll be announcing a restructuring of our football department’. Now maybe I'm reading way too much into it/ reading it wrong, but could the club be kind putting a team of coaches together to then work under a new head-coach? Usually you sign a head-coach and he brings his own staff, but we are so much less obvious and predictable in our approach now something like this would not surprise me. Maybe some of these names that have appeared more recently and low in the odds will form a part of the coaching staff but not be the actual head-coach...

@menzinho Agree with your take on the coaching staff, perhaps #Notts are insisting that Alves has to remain as part of the coaching set up. In the past, many managers came to #Notts and brought their "best football buddy"...never really worked.

Tom Shaw coming from no where into the betting. Hinshelwood, Buckingham Williams, Evatt, Richardson vying with relative unknown "Solberg".

One name always absent.... Craig Short.... great coaching experience now, would he want to return?

Latest betting

Can we use Tipp-Ex to remove Joey Barton from the list?

I can't be the only fan who is thankful that Alan Hardy is no longer the owner, as otherwise there's some worrying names on the betting list. If Notts are looking to restructure their coaching team, this could very well be down to allowing the new head coach to bring in more of his own personnel. 'As well as introducing our new coaching team, we’ll be announcing a restructuring of our football department’. The new coaching team will be the head coach and his assistant.

Restructuring the football department sounds to be the key part.

Are there any other clubs who have a 'Director of Performance'? Maybe there’s a head coach who has previously worked with one, and Notts brought in Dr. David Rhodes for this reason, as they have heard the feedback about how Stuart Maynard was left without replacements of his team who departed? There are a lot of questions, but I would think there are clues within it.

@TheSkipper, If Alan Hardy was still the owner we'd be playing Sunday mornings on Victoria embankment :)

Edited June 11Jun 11 by weymuff
spelling

12 minutes ago, weymuff said:

@TheSkipper, If Alan Hardy was still the owner we'd be playing Sunday mornings on Victoria embankment :)

This is why we need to trust the Reedtz and the process.

Build over time, sustain long-term success, and not short-lived. We have had years of being average, and finally we have something to look forward to.

Absolutely. 100%. Spot on. @TheSkipper