🇸🇪 Summary in Swedish
Axel Nordborg & Leon Strömberg
Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences, Stockholm
The aim of this study was to explore the career pathways leading to becoming an elite coach at the international level, as well as the key factors and turning points influencing this development. The study also had the purpose to capture elite coaches’ advice to young coaches and their views on improvements needed within the Swedish sports system.
The study used a qualitative design, based on semi-structured interviews with 21 Swedish elite coaches from Olympic sports. Participants represented both team and individual sports, winter and summer sports, and included both male and female coaches. The data was analyzed through a manifest thematic analysis.
Two main career pathways were identified: the fast-track and the traditional pathway. Fast-track coaches built their careers on personal elite sporting achievements and strong networks, while traditionally trained coaches developed their competence through formal education and gradual experience-building. Several critical turning points were highlighted, involving events, decisions, encounters or challenges that significantly altered career trajectories. Key success factors identified were a strong internal drive, engagement, and social competence. Elitecoaches advised younger coaches to find mentors and to develop their personal leadership style. They also called for retaining experienced coaches’ knowledge and improving the financial conditions for coaches in Sweden.
The study shows that the paths to becoming an elite coach at the international level vary, but are often shaped by key turning points, access to networks, strong personal commitment, and social competence. Career development is influenced by both structural opportunities and individual choices, where mentorship and chance events frequently play a crucial role. An important conclusion of this study is the need to systematically pass on the knowledge from experienced elite coaches through formalized mentorship and networking programs, as well as to begin implementing shared leadership in coaching roles to reduce workload and create more job opportunities. The findings also highlight the need for further research in the following areas: comparisons between the two career pathways and their success factors, the significance of mentorship, and how coaching careers develop in other countries.
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AXEL NORDBORG, 25, works as a coach at Lidingö Golf Club and Österåker Golf Club, focusing on golf training and physical training. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Sports Science from the Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences (GIH), is a certified personal trainer, and has completed the first level of the Swedish Golf Federation’s coaching education program. He has also done the Swedish Elite Coach Program. Axel has a background as a competitive golfer, first at the National Sports Academy (RIG) in Uppsala and later at Eastern Kentucky University in the United States. Together with Leon Strömberg, he lectures on the study Pathways to Elite Coaching and visits coaches to gather insights on coaching, leadership, and pathways to success in elite sport.
LEON STRÖMBERG, 23, works with player development at Ursvik IK, where he also serves as head coach for the club’s under-12 team. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Sports Science from the Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences (GIH) and is a UEFA B licensed coach through the Swedish Football Association. In addition, he is a certified personal trainer and has done the Swedish Elite Coach Program. Leon has a background as a competitive football player, having studied at the National Sports Program (NIU) at Danderyd High School. Together with Axel Nordborg, he lectures on the study Pathways to Elite Coaching and visits coaches across different sports to deepen his understanding of leadership and coach development in practice.
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