Bringing Back the Magic
After a phenomenal debut season in 2023, St. Louis CITY SC struggled in 2024. The new gaffer, Olof Mellberg, is charged with reversing that tide.
by Craig Kaminer / Photos supplied St. Louis CITY SC
When St. Louis CITY SC announced Olof Mellberg as their new head coach, the news rippled across the soccer world like a thunderclap. As Mellberg takes the reins, fans and players alike are ready to witness the evolution of a club which stormed out of the gates in its first year, making it to the playoffs, but then last year, ending up 13 out of 15 in the final team rankings, just one slot ahead of their arch rival, Kansas City.
St. Louis CITY SC new head coach, Olof Mellberg.
Born in Gullspång, Sweden, Mellberg’s early years were defined by athletic versatility. A talented tennis player, he transitioned to soccer in his teens and quickly made waves in Sweden’s top leagues. By the late 1990s, Mellberg had cemented himself as one of Europe’s most promising defenders.
His professional career took him to clubs like Racing Santander, Aston Villa and Juventus, where he became known for his leadership, tactical acumen and unyielding defensive skills. Mellberg captained Sweden’s national team for a decade, representing the national team in 117 international matches, earning multiple UEFA European Championships and FIFA World Cups.
Mellberg’s foray into coaching began shortly after his retirement in 2014. He comes to St. Louis with five years of experience as a head coach, primarily in Sweden and for a majority of that time at Brommapojkarna, a small but very highly respected team in Stockholm. During his four seasons there he consistently demonstrated an ability to get the best out of his team, improve young players and deliver results above expectations.
“We've been thrilled to see his excitement for the MLS, his growing knowledge of our team and our players and his steadfast commitment to wanting to be here,” St. Louis CITY’s president and general manager, Diego Gigliani, said. “We are thrilled to have him and excited about our future together.”
To find the best possible coach, the team relied on data to uncover hidden gems around the world. Management went from a long list to a short list, interviewed candidates, traveled to meet them and ultimately landed on the person they believe is going to help St. Louis be successful on the pitch going forward.
“The moment that we said prior MLS experience was not a requirement, we were able to cast a much wider net and by looking at a data set of 25,000 head coaches around the world. We were then able to start filtering by things like the experience level, the number of years, the ability to add value to their team, are they able to get better results than the quality of the team that they've been given their win ratios, their ability to achieve milestones like winning a trophy or getting a promotion,” Gigliani said. Mellberg’s time at Brommapojkarna was particularly notable: In just two seasons, he led the club from the third tier of Swedish football to the Allsvenskan, Sweden’s top division.
Olaf has a unique ability to inspire players. He demands a lot, but he gives even more. The result of his work ethic is contagious.
That ethos caught the attention of StL CITY SC’s leadership. With a roster brimming with potential but in need of a unifying vision, Mellberg’s disciplined, team-first approach is hopefully the perfect fit.
Mellberg’s arrival marks a turning point for the team, which ended last season with a record of 8 wins,13 losses,13 ties. In 2023, the final tally was 17 wins, 5 losses,12 tie games—and they made it to the playoffs. The club’s identity, still in its formative stages, is ripe for the new coach’s influence
“St. Louis has an incredible soccer culture,” Mellberg said during his introductory press conference. “The fans are passionate, the infrastructure is world-class and the potential is limitless. My goal is to build something enduring—a team that not only wins but plays in a way that makes the city proud.”
Mellberg’s philosophy centers on strong defense—a hallmark of his playing days—combined with quick transitions and an emphasis on youth development. “I want to win football games,” he added. “And, I would like us to be a little bit more in control of the games. We're a little bit too open at times. I would like us to be an attacking team, to try to play the ball forward, looking for fast attacks, but to be able to do so and still be in control of the game. You really need to be disciplined in the balance and moving the team to push up. If you have fast attacks and you want to put early crosses in, the whole team needs to be extremely fast in pushing up the lines so that you can continue to put pressure on the opponents, for example. That's the way of controlling the game without being a tired possession team because I don't like that. I like us to still be vertical looking for the goal always.”
“You don’t win games without a solid foundation,” he added. “From there, we can build creativity and freedom in attack. It’s about balance.”
One of Mellberg’s strongest attributes is his commitment to nurturing young talent. StL CITY SC has already invested heavily in its academy and Mellberg’s track record suggests he’ll lean into that pipeline.
“The academy is the heart of this club,” he said. “If you look at my history, you’ll see that I’m passionate about giving young players opportunities. They bring energy and hunger, and they’re the future.”
Local stars like Miguel Perez and Myki Joyner could thrive under Mellberg’s guidance, while the club’s international scouting network ensures a steady stream of promising prospects from around the globe. Mellberg’s European connections also give StL CITY SC a strategic advantage in identifying and recruiting talent.
MLS presents unique challenges for any coach, let alone one transitioning from Europe. The league’s salary cap, travel demands, and unpredictable style of play require adaptability. But Mellberg’s experience as a player and coach in various environments positions him well to succeed.
“The league is different, but football is football,” Mellberg said with a smile. “I’ve studied the nuances of MLS and spoken to people who know it inside out. I’m ready for the challenge.”
Players are already noticing the newly appointed gaffer’s impact. Preseason training sessions have been described as intense, with a focus on conditioning, positional awareness and team cohesion.
“I want to have nonstop players on my team” Mellberg said. “I think if you look at the highest level of football in the world, you see the teams are constantly switched on physically and mentally. They don't take any breaks. It doesn't mean you are sprinting around for 90 minutes. A lot of the time you are always switched on. That's something all the top teams in the world have in common. Lower-level teams tend to need breaks. My goal for this preseason is to build nonstop players.”
“He’s incredibly detailed,” said midfielder Eduard Löwen. “Every drill has a purpose. You can tell he’s thought everything through.”
While tactics and player development are critical, Mellberg’s ability to connect with the St. Louis community may be equally important. Soccer runs deep in the city’s veins, and fans expect a coach who not only delivers results but understands their passion.
“I’ve already felt the energy of the fans,” Mellberg said. “This city lives and breathes soccer. My job is to give them a team they can believe in.”
From engaging with supporters at events to embracing the city’s rich soccer history, Mellberg is making a concerted effort to embed himself in St. Louis’s fabric.
“Prior to arriving in St. Louis, I didn’t know much about the city, to be honest,” he said. “I was here for a few days last month and got a really good impression of the city and the people here and obviously, from watching many games I can see the ambience on match day. It looks amazing and I think it’s unique in the MLS to have that support from the fans. Also, I get the feeling that they’re following the game. I think that’s not always the case in the MLS. You have a lot of cheering fans, but not all of them are proper football fans, but you really get the feeling that they’re following the game, supporting the way we play and obviously they’ve created a fantastic setup here for the match day experience and everything surrounding the game as well.” His authenticity and humility are winning over skeptics, and his track record suggests he’ll back up his words with action.
As Mellberg’s tenure begins, StL CITY SC faces a pivotal season.
“This is a long-term project,” Mellberg said. “We want to build something sustainable. Success doesn’t happen overnight, but with hard work and the right mindset, we can achieve great things.”