Education
Thern"s playing career took him from Malmö FF in Sweden to Football Club Zürich in Switzerland and further in Europe to Benfica in Portugal, Napoli and Roma in Italy and finally Rangers in Scotland where he finished his career.
Thern"s playing career took him from Malmö FF in Sweden to Football Club Zürich in Switzerland and further in Europe to Benfica in Portugal, Napoli and Roma in Italy and finally Rangers in Scotland where he finished his career.
Thern also earned 75 caps and scored six goals for Sweden between 1987 and 1997. After his playing career Thern has coached his youth club IFK Värnamo for two periods, between 2000 and 2001 and 2010 as well as Halmstads BK between 2002 and 2003. He has also acted as a youth coach at IFK Värnamo, a sports commentator as well as a teacher.
Early career
Born and raised in the town of Värnamo in southern central Sweden, Thern started his professional career in 1985 when he joined the classic Swedish club of Malmö FF, where he stayed for four years, earning him two titles in the 1986 and 1988 Allsvenskan.
In Europe
From there he moved to the continent to play for Benfica. He was part of a successful group of Scandinavian players that played for Benfica at the time, composed of Danish international Michael Manniche (1983–1987), and the Swedish "armada".
Mats Magnusson (1987–1992), Thern (1989–1992), Glenn Strömberg (1982-1984) and Stefan Schwarz (1990–1994) alongside coach Sven-Göran Eriksson (1982–1984 and 1989–1992). Thern went on to play for Napoli (1992-1994), Roma (1994-1997) and Rangers (1997-1999), but his career was cut short by injuries.
Thern also competed for Sweden at the 1988 Summer Olympics.
Thern was the Sweden captain for seven years, between 1990 and 1997. International goals
Scores and results list Sweden"s goal tally first. After he retired as a player he become head coach for IFK Värnamo between 2000 and 2001 and Halmstads BK 2001–2003.
He has also worked as a sports commentator and as a teacher.