Flashscore: The first question has to be; how did this happen? How did Mjallby defy all odds to become Swedish champions.
Anders Torstensson: To be honest, I'm still trying to understand what happened. There's a saying we hear a lot: according to the laws of aerodynamics, the bumblebee can't fly, but it doesn't know that, so it flies anyway.
That sums up Mjallby perfectly. It shouldn't be possible - there are many things we could talk about, but a lot comes down to having an excellent, hardworking, competent, and ambitious coaching staff.
They're fantastic people. I'm a big believer in teamwork, and they've adapted so well. Every day, they grow. The players, and the way they look after each other - it's beautiful. I don't think you see that in many clubs.
I've coached many players as they turned professional, and they're not always welcomed; people see them as rivals. Here, the group welcomes everyone, helps them improve, and is very friendly. Those are just two of fifty things I could mention, but I'll keep it brief.
Flashscore: The club's victory is also a triumph for a community known for its hard work and resilience...
AT: If you look at the history of this region, it's made up of hardworking people - fishermen, and 20 years ago, many worked in the leather industry and agriculture. They're used to getting by on their own, surviving, and I think that has influenced the club as well.
Plus, we have a lot of local people involved; I was born in Mjallby, and half the staff played here as kids.
Flashscore: Was there a moment when it clicked? When you thought, "We're going to be champions"?
AT: That's hard to answer, but I wasn't surprised. Last year was our best season ever, finishing fifth and breaking several club records, and everyone thought it would be tough to do better. But we set higher goals.
We wanted to improve, score more goals, concede fewer, reach European football. And we wanted to have the most enjoyable year ever. Since then, everyone has worked hard to make it happen. I know everything has to align perfectly for this to happen. And it did.
Flashscore: Did you ever imagine yourself as a Swedish champion?
AT: No, honestly, never. It's incredible, huge! I don't think I've realised the scale of it yet, and it might take weeks or months for it to sink in. People keep asking me how I feel, but to be honest, I don't know. It's a mix of emotions.
I never have trouble sleeping, even with all the pressure over the summer, the media, the opponents - slept well. Now I wake up at two in the morning, lying in bed, thinking. There are so many thoughts, all positive, and it's hard to describe the feeling.
I never considered the possibility of being Swedish champion, qualifying for the Champions League with the small club Mjallby.
Flashscore: It's doubly special for Anders. You left your job as a school headteacher, battled leukemia in 2024, and now you're at the top...
AT: I realiae it sounds like a fairy tale. Honestly, I never thought I'd be a professional coach. It just happened. I started in the lower divisions, and in 2007 Mjallby called me to be an assistant. I came here, we got promoted to Allsvenskan in 2010, I became head coach in 2013, and then I left.
Mjallby didn't have the infrastructure or budget to stay at the top, and it was a daily struggle. Everyone gave their all, but we were run like a third-tier team. The club grew too fast.
I went back to being a school headteacher, coaching in the third division. In 2021, Mjallby called again, they were in danger of relegation. We had a great autumn, I got an offer to stay, but I turned it down because it was tough and I loved my job.
They called again in 2023, and here we are. I admit it's a strange career, I've never applied for a job, I've just been lucky that clubs wanted me.
Flashscore: There's a lot of talk about Karl Marius Aksum's importance to the coaching staff, with his innovative methods, but what about Anders - what do you bring to the team? In 2023 you said you weren't "the best instructor, the best coach, or the best tactician," so what's your secret?
AT: I actually asked the board that question. I wanted to know why they wanted me. I told them I'd been out of professional football for 10 years - why me? And their answer was: 'You win games.' Looking back at my career, it's true, and I'm proud of that.
As for what I bring, I really focus on teamwork, because my worst experiences as a coach were when I worked on a staff where the head coach didn't give me any responsibility. That might work for some, but if you don't have responsibility, if you don't feel competent and recognised in your daily work, you end up switching off.
That was a lesson for me, and that's why I delegate and give as much responsibility as my staff deserve. That way, they grow, and it makes us a team. Twice a year I do a survey and ask if we're working well together. The answer has always been positive, and that makes me proud.
It also means if one of us is sick, we have a structure, a routine, and everyone knows what to do, we're not dependent on one or two people.
Flashscore: Now that you've won the title, what's next for Anders Torstensson and Mjallby?
AT: It's a huge challenge. As a coach, I'm not actively looking for a career move. I don't have an agent, I don't promote myself on social media. I'm learning to understand myself, and I'm comfortable with who I am and my leadership right now.
I don't think much about the future. I have no plans to leave Mjallby, but I know there could be offers I can't refuse. I'm not thinking about them, and they don't exist.
As for the club, we have a massive challenge ahead; to grow and compete for European qualification. It's going to take a lot of hard work from everyone.