Sporting director Lallo Fernandez has resigned from his position at GAIS with immediate effect. His departure follows an internal conflict over the club's sporting future, as reported by Göteborgs-Posten.
The club announced the resignation this week. Fernandez himself stated he could not remain. "I could not be kvar, säger Fernandez." The decision stems from a clear disagreement with technical director Magnus Sköldmark. Fernandez wanted to replace Sköldmark but did not receive support from the club's board for such a move.
What happened behind the scenes?
The conflict centred on the sporting direction of GAIS. While the club holds a stable ninth place in Allsvenskan with 27 points, there have been differing views on how to build for the future. Fernandez had a different vision than Sköldmark for developing the squad and organisation. When the board chose not to back Fernandez regarding a new technical director, his position became untenable.
This occurs mid-season, with GAIS having shown a solid defence, conceding only 18 goals in 20 games. The club has a positive goal difference of +7, having scored 25 times. They are, however, far behind league leaders Sirius, who have an 18-point advantage.
How does this affect GAIS's season run-in?
The resignation comes just before an important fixture. GAIS travels to face Mjällby AIF on September 20th for an away match against a team currently in 12th place. It's an opportunity to secure points and cement their mid-table position. Preparations for this match and the remainder of the season will now proceed without a permanent sporting director.
The player squad and coaching staff must manage this change during the ongoing campaign. Fans can follow the current squad list and upcoming fixtures on our site. The club's management must now act swiftly to find a solution for the sporting director role, either internally or through an external appointment.
What are the immediate consequences?
With an immediate departure, there is an urgent need to cover Fernandez's responsibilities. Duties regarding player recruitment, contracts, and long-term planning must be redistributed. This also happens at a point in the season where preparations for next year often begin to take shape.
GAIS's recent form, noted as DWLLW, shows a somewhat inconsistent performance curve. Stabilising the sporting leadership is key to maintaining on-pitch focus during the final rounds. A look at the current standings table confirms there are still points to play for to improve their position.
The club's next Allsvenskan match is away against Mjällby AIF on September 20, 2026.
