Coaching icon Lars “Laban” Arnesson has passed away – aged 87

One of Swedish football’s great profiles has passed away.
On Monday, the news came that Lars “Laban” Arnesson is dead.
The coaching icon was 87 years old.

Swedish football is now mourning the passing of a truly colorful profile. The legendary coach Lars “Laban” Arnesson has passed away, will be announced on Monday morning.

Laban’s career

He began his coaching career as assistant national team captain to George “Aby” Ericson already in 1974, but it was in the East that everything would take off. Arnesson won double SM gold with the Växjö team in 1977 and 1978.

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Football, Lars Arnesson (Lars Laban Arnesson), Swedish national team captain. © Bildbyrån – Dia

After that great success, he alone had to take over the responsibility for the Swedish men’s national team in 1980. But unfortunately there was no immediate success in Blue Gold as Sweden managed to miss both the WC 1982 and WC 1986.

Arneson’s death

The coaching icon has also led teams such as Skövde AIK, Kalmar FF and Djurgården during his career. After his time as national team captain, he was head of the technical unit within the Swedish Football Association and also a member of Uefa and Fifa’s technical committees.

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960415 Lars Arnesson (Lars Laban Arnesson) © Bildbyrån (19547)(19547 )

But after a period of illness, Lars Arnesson fell asleep on the night of Sunday. He was 87 years old and is now mourned by his immediate family and Swedish football.

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