Albin Ekdal Contemplates Future: Could This Be His Last Year?

Albin Ekdal is on an expiring contract. He now opens up about his future at Djurgården, potentially as an assistant sports director to Bosse Andersson.

"We might get tired of each other, but it would be fun," says Ekdal.

At the turn of the year, Albin Ekdal's contract with Djurgården expires.

The 35-year-old midfielder joined the club ahead of the 2024 season and has been struggling with a shoulder injury, which he still feels.

"The shoulder isn't quite right. I don't have the strength I want to have to engage in tackles," says Ekdal.

Now he opens up about the future, whether he will continue as a player or in another role.

"Can Be Hell and Heaven"

How hungry are you?

"I still think it's very fun. I'm passionate about Djurgården. I probably wouldn't be as passionate if it weren't for Djurgården. It's an important part for me. I want to be here because I love the club.

"I probably wouldn't be as motivated and hungry to get up and train every morning if it weren't for Djurgården. It plays a big role. That's why I came home from abroad. It's not always about being hungry. It's about being disciplined. I've been that my whole career. I was a professional abroad for 16 years.

But staying disciplined isn't always easy.

"Some months you're motivated, and some you wake up and just want to stay in bed. You have a job to do like most people. It doesn't matter if you're hungry or motivated. You do your job.

How is it during the tough periods?

"It can be hell, and it can be heaven. I've had a career that's been very up and down. Some moments have been very bad, but you know better times are around the corner.

"Haven't Approached Bosse"

How long will you manage it?

"Throughout my career, it doesn't matter if you're 36 or 20 years old, it's up and down. I've managed to keep it up for a long time and am a bit more mentally tired than a 20-year-old. But that's how it should be. We'll see. I'll take this year and then see if there's a continuation or not.

He suggests that this could be his last year as a player.

"Yes, my contract expires after this year. I haven't approached Bosse, and Bosse hasn't approached me yet. We've been busy with our own things. There's no impossibility that this will be the last.

Opens Up for a New Role

But he doesn't feel done with the club. Instead, he opens up for another role within the organization.

"Absolutely. I'd love to help Djurgården in another way. It's a big club, and competent people are needed. If I have any skills they need, I'm available.

Even though he hasn't thought about which role would suit him.

"I haven't really started thinking about it, but there are many different roles. Whether it's on the field with youth or something with the A-team or something around scouting or a leadership role, I don't know.

He's asked if he could consider the role of assistant sports director to Bosse Andersson.

"We might get tired of each other, but it would be fun. I haven't tossed that idea around in my own head, but I'll check with Bosse what he says. It sounds both educational and fun with Bosse.

Master Negotiator: "Good Cop, Bad Cop"

Are you a master negotiator?

"If I am, then we might do a bad cop, good cop with Bosse. I have a lot to learn from the master.

In that case, Ekdal would take on the role of "bad cop."

"I could probably be that.

"When you've lived in a locker room and around a team your whole adult life, you want to be close to people and where the action is. Then it's around a team on the football field, so of course, it's appealing. At the same time, the whole business side behind a team is also appealing.

"I've thought along those lines, but so far, I'm a football player on the field, and that's what matters most.

When he'll make a decision, he doesn't know yet.

"We'll see how it goes and how I feel. I don't feel any stress about it. I just try to live and enjoy every training and match. If these are the last matches, I want to have fun and enjoy them.