In May, Robert Hedin resigned as head coach of the U.S. men’s national team after expressing dissatisfaction with the American Handball Federation. Now the U.S. has appointed Hedin’s successor, or at least one of them, and once again it will be a Swede: Petter Strömberg. This according to sources close to GoHandball, information that Strömberg himself confirm.
Robert Hedin led the U.S. men’s national team from 2018 to 2025, but stepped down in May with sharp criticism of the federation, which he described as “unprofessional.” However, the federation did not have to wait long to find Hedin’s replacement.
According to GoHandball sources, one of the successors, the team will consist of three coaches, will be Petter Strömberg – a relatively unknown name internationally, but one who has played handball at a high level in Sweden.
The choice of Strömberg is somewhat sensational given his limited coaching experience, but the Swede can now begin to dream about the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Strömberg confirms
When GoHandball reached out to Strömberg, he confirmed that he will start working with the team and that he will be one of three head coaches.
– I’ve been offered to initially be one of three coaches. I’ll be part of an initial training camp – a kickoff camp they call Road to the Olympics – where I’ll set up structure and a plan. Then we’ll evaluate whether I’ll be part of a longer-term commitment, but of course my hope is to stay on, Strömberg told GoHandball.
How did you come into contact with the American Handball Federation?
– I’ve been following the national team for the simple reason that I have a dear cousin (Joey, editor’s note) who plays on the team. When Hedin stepped down, they made some changes in the organization, and I sent an email to the federation’s CEO with some ideas on how to think about a new structure and philosophy. I work with coaching professionally and had a number of suggestions that he thought made sense.
– We scheduled a meeting, and then he connected me with Marc Ortega, who is Head of the Handball Program and formally listed as head coach, and then he asked me to join them at their first camp.
Following in his sister’s footsteps?
Robert Hedin resigned, as mentioned, due to shortcomings within the federation – but that didn’t discourage Strömberg.
– You have to really understand that this is an immature federation – and I don’t mean childish or stupid, but simply that it’s a young federation. They haven’t yet made the mistakes we’ve made in Europe, simply because they haven’t had the time. They need to test their way forward. Of course, I’m aware there are things organizationally that haven’t been great, but they’re working on fixing them. They have high ambitions.
After his playing career, Petter Strömberg has had some coaching assignments, but most of his time and energy have been devoted to his civilian profession. And if everything goes as planned, Petter will become the second member of the Strömberg family, after his sister Carin, to participate in an Olympic Games.
– Unfortunately, I won’t be the first in the family, he said with a laugh.
– There’s nothing an athlete or a former athlete wants more than to participate in the Olympics. To contribute to a group of athletes with ambition and to spend a few weeks in the Olympic Village would be fantastic – and insanely cool. And of course, that’s my goal.