‘An amazing turnaround’, Thelin’s transformation of Aberdeen

Thelin, 46, is described as “a very modern manager” by former Celtic defender and compatriot Johan Mjallby, and “the most professional manager I have seen in Sweden” by football podcaster Glenn Holvik.

After catching the eye at Jonkopings Sodra, taking them to the top flight for the first time in 46 years, Elfsborg came calling.

“When he took over, we didn’t have any identity of how we were playing,” Holvik recalls.

“Then in 2019, his second season, Elfsborg had the most yellow cards in the Allsvenskan and we started to be more physical, with the pressing style and the defence much better. Fans liked that mentality.”

Mjallby noted: “If you go back five or six years, before the pandemic, he was the next best thing coming up as a manager. Then he struggled a wee bit at Elfsborg to start with before he got them to play really quick, good, attacking football.”

During Thelin’s six years at the Boras Arena, Elfsborg twice finished as runners- up, missing out on the title on goal difference in 2023.