COLUMBUS – The Columbus Crew fulfilled their New Year’s resolution by appointing Henrik Rydstrom as their ninth head coach in franchise history. Rydstrom was recently the coach of Malmö FF in the Allsvenskan, Sweden’s top-flight league. Rydtrom joins the Crew with 10+ years of coaching and 24 years of professional playing. 

Rydstrom led Malmö FF to the Allsvenskan championship, finishing with a 20-6-4 record in 2023. In the following year, Rydstrom led the Swedish side to back-to-back league titles and a Swedish Cup win, achieving the club’s first double in 30+ years. 

Joining Rydstrom in Columbus will be assistant coach Theodor Olsson and First Team analyst Mak Pakhei. Goalkeeper coach Phil Boerger and Marc O’Neill — head of video & data analysis — will continue their roles with the Crew.

When hired as Malmö FF’s coach in 2022, Rydstrom tallied a 39-9-12 record in his two full seasons in Sweden while averaging more than two points per match in 2023 and 2024. Malmo tallied 20 league wins in Rydstrom’s first season, tying for the third-most in team history. 

“Henrik has proven his leadership ability throughout an established coaching and playing career, and we collectively share a vision for how we can continue to advance and evolve the Club’s dynamic style of play. During the head coaching search, we prioritized candidates’ personalities and care for their club as a whole, in addition to their coaching accolades,” said Crew general manager Issa Tall.

“Henrik fully embodies these traits as the Crew’s head coach, and we’re eager to begin the 2026 season together with our long-standing goal of consistently contending for championships in Columbus.”

“I’m excited to coach the Crew and thank the Haslam, Johnson, and Edward families, Issa, Marc, and the entire team for the opportunity to join the Club,” said Rydstrom. 

“After every meeting with Crew leadership, the feeling continued to grow that this Club is special and something that you want to be part of. As a coach, you love the Crew’s playing style and how the players enjoy it, the focus on hard work, and the Club’s passionate supporters.

“Our goal is to continue to build upon the team’s impressive success and attacking style while combining the desire to win with challenging ourselves every day to improve and to create joy for the team and supporters.”

The Crew and Rydstrom begin their 2026 MLS campaign on February 21, on the road to the Portland Timbers.