In 2001, while the Oslo club Lyn still went by the nickname Smart Club United, the English coach had Stuart Baxter as head coach. Before that, he had managed Halmstads BK and AIK, among others. – Now he is confirmed back in Halmstads BK after almost 40 years.
Stuart Baxter takes over the club on an interim basis, knowing it will be tough to turn things around. “I know what is required in such situations,” Baxter says to HBK’s website.
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Halmstads BK is in free fall. A couple of days ago, it became clear that head coach Johan Lindholm after only collecting 2 points in six games in Allsvenskan. Now it has been officially presented to HBK the replacement – on an interim basis. Experienced English coach Stuart Baxter (72) takes over the club.
“Evokes strong emotions”
“Returning to HBK after all these years obviously evokes strong emotions. It was here, on Örjan’s rampart, that much of my early philosophy was formed. But I’m not here to lose us in nostalgia,” Baxter said in a statement.
“Football is played in the present, and the brutal reality is that we are in a very difficult table situation. I know what is required in such situations. It’s not about playing the most aesthetically pleasing football from day one, but about organizing ourselves and fighting collectively for every single point.
“My primary mission is to restore faith in what we are doing and give players the clearest possible tactical tools to start winning football matches.
Pelle Nilsson, chairman of HBK, is pleased with the recruitment, which is a temporary solution while waiting for the more long-term coaching solution.
“Stuart Baxter brings with him a weight and international authority that few other coaches in the Nordic region can match. He has been a supervisor for Johan Lindholm during the Pro License training and is therefore also familiar with today’s edition of HBK. It will be a short start, and we believe that we will have a clear and exciting voice in the locker room and on the training ground.
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Baxter’s track record
Baxter has a strong relationship with HBK from before. He was the coach of the club between 1988 and 1991. He has also coached clubs such as Vissel Kobe, AIK and Helsingborgs IF, as well as leading both the Finnish and South African national teams. Most recently, he was coach at Portuguese Boavista in the spring of 2025.
“An interim solution”
Pelle Nilsson, chairman of HBK, comments on the appointment:
“Stuart Baxter comes with a weight and international authority that few other coaches in the Nordic region can match. He has been a supervisor for Johan Lindholm during the Pro License education, and therefore also knows today’s edition of HBK well.
Halmstad also confirms that Baxter is only an interim solution pending a more long-term coaching agreement.
Baxter’s first game will be away against Kalmar FF this coming Sunday.
