Story Summary
Mattias Zackrisson will be part of Linköping HC’s staff for the 2026/27 season, a rare point of continuity after a disruptive period at the club. Reportedly, with LT, the assistant coach described mixed feelings about remaining while several colleagues, including sporting director Peter Jakobsson and head coach Mikael Håkanson, departed. Zackrisson was behind the bench at Scaniarinken for a recent training match and praised his former club’s collective effort. He said he felt flattered to have been retained, while also feeling guilty towards those who had to leave. Having signed a two-year contract, he said he was not prepared to walk away simply because decisions had been made above him.
Key Facts
- The 2026/27 season will be the first in some time without a Zackrisson represented on the roster.
- Mattias Zackrisson was behind the bench at Scaniarinken for a training match last week and praised his former club’s collective effort afterwards.
- A training match mentioned finished 2-1 to the visitors.
- Linköping HC experienced a turbulent off-season: sporting director Peter Jakobsson left, followed by head coach Mikael Håkanson and assistant Magnus Johansson (the latter has returned as a player developer).
- Zackrisson said he felt flattered to have been retained by Linköping after last season and acknowledged mixed emotions about staying.
- He said he had a two-year contract he intends to honour and explicitly stated he did not want to ‘throw in the towel’ because of decisions made above him.
- Tony Mårtensson, assistant sporting director to Peter Jakobsson, resigned when Jakobsson was dismissed.
- For 2026/27 Zackrisson will work alongside Anders ‘Ante’ Karlsson and Martin Gudmundsson.
- Zackrisson previously spent three years in Södertälje before his first chance in the SHL.
- A brother of Zackrisson has chosen to return to Leksand ahead of the coming season.
IHM Discussion
Linköping’s decision to retain Mattias Zackrisson offers a degree of continuity in a club otherwise marked by turnover. The summer brought significant departures from the sporting hierarchy and coaching staff; retaining an assistant gives the new staff group some familiarity. Zackrisson’s remarks combine professional acceptance with personal discomfort: he said he felt flattered to have been kept on but also spoke of a guilty conscience towards colleagues who left. His position is clear. He signed for two years, intends to honour that contract and does not want to resign because of decisions taken above him.
Why It Matters
For Linköping, retaining a coach who knows the organisation reduces the immediate disruption of an off-season marked by executive and coaching departures. Continuity among staff can help stabilise player routines, systems and culture as new leadership takes shape around Anders Karlsson and Martin Gudmundsson. For Zackrisson personally, staying on keeps him in the SHL coaching ranks and offers an opportunity to press for professional vindication after a difficult season. His visible unease about colleagues who left also humanises the club’s restructuring and underlines that personnel changes have internal consequences beyond tactical adjustments.
Mini Q&A
Is Mattias Zackrisson staying with Linköping for 2026/27?
Yes.
Why did Zackrisson say he felt conflicted about staying?
He said he felt guilty towards colleagues who were dismissed and that the situation produced ‘mixed feelings’, even though he was flattered to have been retained.
Did Zackrisson consider resigning in protest?
He said he would not simply resign. He has a two-year contract he wants to honour and did not want to ‘throw in the towel’ because a decision was taken over his head.
What departures at Linköping were mentioned?
Sporting director Peter Jakobsson left; head coach Mikael Håkanson also left; assistant Magnus Johansson departed from the coaching role and has returned as a player developer. Tony Mårtensson resigned when Jakobsson was dismissed.
How did Zackrisson assess the team in the recent training match?
After a training match at Scaniarinken, he praised his former club’s effort, saying the side pulled together and worked as a team, with everyone battling hard.
What Comes Next
Zackrisson will work alongside Anders ” Ante” Karlsson and Martin Gudmundsson in the 2026/27 season, which is the coming season referenced.
IHM Final View
Linköping’s choice to keep Mattias Zackrisson is a pragmatic bid for stability after a disruptive summer. His commitment to honour a two-year contract and to remain at the club despite personal misgivings consolidates continuity inside the SHL side, but his frank comments also highlight the emotional fallout that accompanies sporting restructurings.