Interview with elite referee Glenn Nyberg

We had a chat with Glenn between matches on a Tuesday afternoon at the end of August. Glenn is passionate about football and with a father who is an old FIFA referee, we suspect that there are a lot of discussion about matches and about football in the family. He is also active in Dalarnas refereeclub (local club) and referee manager in an local football club and helps young and new referees. We were curious about Glenn's career and what his everyday life looks like, where most of what he does breathes football. Glenn is an referee in the highest league in Sweden, and is also an international referee.

- Hi Glenn. Tell us who Glenn Nyberg is.

- Hi. Yes, my name is Glenn and I am 32, almost 33 years old, originally from Säter in Sweden, which is located in Dalarna. Now I live in Borlänge and have lived here for about 10 years. I'm a professional referee and work with that full time, so that's my profession. That’s Glenn, the short version.

- Have you had more jobs than being a referee?

- Yes, I have. After school I have worked at ICA warehouses and after that an industry that worked with insulation and also in the school world as a supply teacher and did a little of each. When I was a supply teacher, it was during that time that I decided to reach the elite as a referee, that was a good combo, not working 100% and could focus more on being a referee.

- How did it all really start, with becoming a football referee?

-I started at home in the garden. I was with my father, first at home in the district, but also at Swedish highest league matches, when he was an assistant referee. Dad has also been internationally and a FIFA referee. If you have a parent who is in some profession, it is easy for the children to hang on to that thought and profession. I did it as a very young boy. So it really started in the garden. I remember that I was both a goalkeeper and a referee at home in the garden. And when there was a match in my hometown, both youth football and senior, I was on the line, already at 7-8 years I was there, on the line. It was standard that I went there. Then I probably started more seriously when I was 12 or 13 years old with 7-man football/youth and then it spun on after that. Then I thought it was a good extra income and still wanted to become a football player. I played until I was about 19 years old and then started referee more seriously. Then it really took off and I had my first highest league, “Allsvenskan”, match when I was 24 years old. It went fast once I decided and it went fast through the divisions. I decided that I wanted to go in a suit to a match, it was a goal I had early. I did one match in division 4 and also one match in division 2 I remember, so it went fast.

- Okay. Football referee family in other words. At home, is it just football?

- Yes, that's right. Dad is still involved and a match delegate. He is also involved in an football club here at home. He is the referee responsible for Säters IF, but otherwise he has nothing to do with referees any more. My brother and my two half-sisters are also referees as well. It's my brother and I who have come the furthest along the way. I think my brother has had upwards of 10 matches in the next highest league, “Superettan”, as an assistant this year.

- If you need to discuss a match, will it be with any of them then?

- Well. Yes. Dad is too kind, but I often know when I have done wrong, he always says "Uh, let it go and move on now". But yes, Dad tries to watch all the matches so we discuss a lot of football, absolutely. He has his mind set and he is being bothered by audience, players or something else. We discuss much more than just my performance. Sometimes I can incite him to such small things that make him a little pissed off, but which we laugh at later and then we let it go and move on.

- What do you think contributed to it going so fast for you?

- Good start to my career with many who supported me at an early age, besides my father, Leif Sundell was my mentor on the way up. We have and had a lot of contact, Leif and I. When I stopped playing, the idea on my part was that I would move up quickly. Then every match is important. Every match is important and important to sell your brand, your decisions and it requires 100% effort every time. I have always had that attitude, both for match and training. I know what to do and do it properly. Then other factors can come into play a role also, but then it is a matter of biting and driving. As long as you do your best and work hard, you will achieve success. We also talk about that a lot in our Team. We do not focus on the wrong decisions, but move on. We do a lot together and have goals together. We always win together! A good quality I have is to get people with me and it has also helped me along the way.

- On the way here then… Any injuries or backlashes?

- No not really. I broke my arm when I was going to make my second “Allsvenskan” match. It was sour, but I was only gone for two weeks. No more major setbacks and I am super happy that I got the chance to referee high up so quickly and early. I may not have had that experience like some others and I was quite young and wanted to work. I made mistakes and sometimes there were slaps in the face where maybe someone with more experience can handle those mistakes compared to a young referee. However, I think I handled those situations well, but I have also learned a lot along the way. All referees go through periods when it goes against you, it's like with a forward. Sometimes the goals come and you just make it work and sometimes not. So is being a referee too, sometimes everything just flows on and you avoid these 50/50 decisions. Then you should continue and work even harder. Then when you get past a tough period, the same thing there. Keep working because then you get that situation and experience with you, in the backpack. It takes experience to become a good and better referee.

- What is the next goal and / or dream in you referee-career?

- I, or no, our vision, my Team… We are going up and we are going towards the highest level. On the other hand, if it takes 1 year, 5 years or 8 years does not matter that much, but we are going there. I have refereed the Europa League and the Nations League. If you look at club team tournaments, it is the Champions League, which is the next step right now.

- Leisure then, do you breathe as much football then, together with the family or what does it look like?

- It has changed a lot. Before I had children, I literally devoured football every weekend, Every Saturday from 12 to 23. When I had children, I had to re-prioritize a bit. There is more local football now than there is on TV right now. Then of course I do not miss big matches on TV, but right now it's more local football. The children can come with me and you can run free there, with the children. You have time to watch a little football, but more focus on the children.

- As a referee, are there big differences in refereeing international matches versus the highest league in Sweden?

- Yes, it is. There are more possession games and once it goes fast, it goes fast. As a referee, I think it is more "whistle-and-go" as well as a little more body language and authoritarian style. That is my opinion compared to my style in Sweden. However, football is the same and we do an equally good job regardless of whether we referee at Strömvallen in Gävle or at a large arena in Austria, where we were last week. All matches can be easy and all matches can be difficult.

- The biggest match you have been a referee, or which you are most proud of?

- Simple answer. We where referees in U21 this spring and we got to referee the semifinal between Spain and Portugal. It was really fun the whole tournament and it was important for us as a Team. It went well for us and helped us along the way, and that we got confirmation that we can handle that level.

- The role and qualities with a referee, what does it mean to you?

- The role of a referee means that you must be clear, that you see and can handle people. You have to cope with pressured situations. Basically, we will contribute to the football and the match being as good as it can be. To be able to do that, you also have to have a good understanding of the game. The most important thing for a new referee, on the other hand, is that you dare to take some space, that you dare to talk to people and that you dare to blow the whistle as high as you can! Then it is important that you are committed and run, then most people buy your decisions - that you actually do the best you can. An important aspect for all referees regardless of level is that you can say that you are wrong, that you apologize for having made a mistake - then most players buy it. Humble but determined is a good referee in my opinion.

- A typical week in season for you. Can you take us quickly through a week with Glenn?

- A typical spring season week is a match either Saturday, Sunday or Monday. Spring season is a little calmer. The day after the match, I take it easy with paddle or some activity that is good for recovery. Then I run at least two good running sessions per week. I think it's more fun to run than it is to hang out at the gym. My physio coach and I discuss that a lot. Then it depends a lot on where the match is, sometimes it is three travel days and then it looks different. In the autumn season, on the other hand, there are double matches and then there will be easier and calmer recovery so the body is alert for those matches.

- A match day then, match upload. Take us briefly through one.

- Yes, we always try to do the same thing. We met up 2 hours and 15 minutes before the start of the match, with the whole Team. I either try to have a day room where I can rest the same day as the match or if it is a long trip, I go the day before. So that I get the same charge and peace and quiet in my mind. Then we run a review with the Team for maybe 20 or 30 minutes. I always have the same assistant with me and we try to build a match plan, but also a feeling and a Go with that match. Then we go to the arena 1.5 hours before the start of the match. We inspect the plan and go in and change. Then we warm up. We always go out 36 minutes before the start of the match and into the locker room again 16 or 17 minutes before. Then we go out and go! After the match, we always have a review with the observer and ourselves. We go through what we could have done differently and especially then in more collaborative situations and what we say in headsets. Only we know what we are saying and we talk about it a lot after the matches.

- Football players sometimes have a bit odd things to themselves before a match with materials or things that must be exactly the same. Do you or any other referee have such a strange thing for you?

- I always run three double knots on the shoe… the shoelace is too long and then I stuff it in the shoe. An assistant referee in my team usually mumbles his mantra for 30 seconds with a towel over his head. I do not know what he is saying, but he mumbles to himself for 30 seconds. It's pretty original, and it works for him. Then as a Team we always pound a little music and take it a little chill, but the closer we get I become one who pushes more and almost stands and shouts words to us, which means something to us.

- Little material then! Whatches, do you use one or two? And then I know you run double sweatbands, right?

- Clock/Watch I use a Polar that we have with the association, which measures everything, both how far we run and heart rate. I have always had double sweatbands, have always been so. Until two years ago, or something, I also always used long-sleeved shirt also. Even then I had double sweatbands under the shirt. I do not know why, it's just me. I sweat a lot, haha.

- You are involved in young referees in Borlänge. Is there a key or factor that allows us to get more referees?

- Here in Dalarna, we really have no problem now with training referees. On the 7 to 7 side, we train 300 per year. We try to support as much as possible. There is a need for referees in each association who support and care about their referees, then we can get more ones. When we look at them and follow up, the young referees think that the role of being a Referee is fun. I do not see any major problems among the young ones, however, when it is 11 to 11, some form of vacuum arises. There are too few who cares about those who are new and it is necessary to work with the younger referees better. As it is now, to take a digital course in one or two days and then go out and referee football - No, it's not that simple. I could not have done that! You have to have someone who pushes you and guides you. It is not easy to be a referee, football gets tougher when you get older and it becomes a tougher climate. Then you need someone who cares about you.

- Okay, if we're talking senior football and what you mention, the harsh climate then. In 2020 and 2021, there were reports from many districts in Sweden of a shortage of referees. News came from Ångermanland, Skåne and also the highest league. What do you think?

- I'm not surprised, if we say so. The referees should have respect but it is difficult for the new ones if they do not get help. This is where the evil spiral somehow begins. However, I would like to point out that what has been has been, now we must work forward. We need more referees who remain, how do we do that and how can we get it as good as possible? How can we get it stimulating for all of them? Everyone must be involved, including us elite referees who can be role models and help to support and take responsibility. Everyone has a responsibility and we can not sit on our asses.

- We hope you reach your goals and referees for a long time, of course! The day you stop with that though. What will you do instead?

- I know I will stay in football one way or another. Then how, we'll see. Football is a bit of my life and I will stay there.

- We finish with three quick, are you ready?

1. Best referee you have had a match with?
   Jonas Eriksson
2. Best player in one of your matches?
   May be two, Messi and Ronaldo. As a fourth referee
3. What color do you miss or dream of on the referee's shirt?
   It's difficult. But I liked Macroon's Pink. On the other hand, I probably miss the same color on the socks as on the shirt. I miss that in Sweden. It's nice.

Thanks Glenn and good luck!