Swedish coach prepares farewell

Lars Lagerback announced Sunday he would step down as Sweden’s coach if as expected the Scandinavians fail to qualify for the 2010 World Cup finals.

Sweden lost 1-0 in Denmark on Saturday night and with Portugal beating Hungary 3-0 face elimination from Group One.

Lowly Malta would need to win or draw in Lisbon on Wednesday and Sweden to beat Albania to see Lagerback’s side reach the play-offs.

Lagerback told a press conference he and his deputy Roland Andersson would resign “whatever the result … either after the World Cup in South Africa, or after a play-off or after the Albania match,” on Wednesday.

Sweden have failed to even score in qualifiers against main rivals Denmark and Portugal and Lagerback, who has coached the national side since 2000, has come under increasing fire.

Former European champions Denmark secured automatic qualification for the 2010 finals after downing Sweden in Copenhagen. Sweden have 15 points, behind Portugal on 16.

Only group winners secure automatic qualification for the finals in South Africa next year, with the eight best group runners-up being forced into a two-leg play-off.