GAIS has strengthened their coaching staff with a new addition. The club announced on Wednesday that Patrik Persson is joining to work on the first team's set pieces for the remainder of the year.
According to reports from Fotbollskanalen, Persson has signed a contract covering the entire remaining part of the 2026 Allsvenskan season. He will be part of the head coach's staff with a clear assignment. "We are happy to announce that GAIS has agreed with Patrik Persson who strengthens our A-team with a focus on set pieces for the remaining part of the 2026 season," said technical director Magnus Sköldmark on the club's official website.
What background does the new coach have?
Patrik Persson is a familiar face in Swedish football. This will be his fourth Allsvenskan club as a coach or analyst. He has previously worked at IFK Göteborg, IFK Norrköping, and Mjällby AIF. Beyond that, Persson has international experience from his work with Pogoń Szczecin in Poland and Sarpsborg in Norway. His broad knowledge of both Swedish and European football is considered a significant addition for GAIS.
The club currently sits in ninth place in Allsvenskan with 27 points from 20 matches. They have won seven games, drawn six, and lost seven. Their goal difference is positive with 25 scored and only 18 conceded, giving them a +7 differential. Recent form has been uneven with a sequence of results described as DWLLW. All current team statistics can be followed on our stats page.
Why are set pieces so important?
The focus on dead-ball situations will be a central part of Persson's work. In a tight league like Allsvenskan, points from corners, free kicks, and penalties can make a big difference in the table position. GAIS has so far shown solid defensive organization but can certainly develop their offensive efficiency from set pieces. It's an aspect that often decides close matches, especially against top competitors.
With an 18-point gap to league leaders Sirius, there is still much to play for in the final rounds. Every point-counting detail becomes important to secure the best possible finish. The club's complete fixtures schedule shows what challenges lie ahead.
What does it mean for the team's next match?
GAIS's next fixture is away against Mjällby AIF on September 20th. It will be a special match for Persson, who previously worked at Mjällby. The meeting is also interesting in the table context, with Mjällby sitting in twelfth place. A victory could give GAIS a better grip on the middle of the table heading into the autumn finale.
The squad has shown they can perform against strong opponents, and with new competent coaching help, the management hopes the team can find additional margins. For a detailed overview of all the players Persson will be working with, visit our squad page. Patrik Persson's contract runs until the end of the season in November.
