Swedish Politician Mikael Damberg Compares National Economy to Tottenham Hotspur’s Relegation Struggles in Stockholm

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In a surprising twist at a parliamentary session, Swedish politician Mikael Damberg drew an unusual comparison between his country’s economy and English Premier League football club Tottenham Hotspur.

Speaking to the chamber, Damberg suggested that Sweden risks becoming “Spursy” — a term he borrowed from football slang — by squandering economic opportunities despite having ideal conditions for growth.

Squandered Opportunities and “Spursy” Moments

Damberg explained that just as Tottenham possesses world-class facilities, a massive stadium, and a dedicated fanbase, Sweden has all the elements needed to thrive economically.

Yet, both have “squandered opportunities,” he argued, due to poor decisions and short-term thinking.

“The club have been given the name ‘Spursy,’ when you have opportunities but get no results.

Madame Speaker, that is precisely how the Minister of Finance is handling the Swedish economy,” Damberg said.

He highlighted that Sweden has the companies, workforce, and innovation capabilities to succeed but warned that government mismanagement could see the country falter like Tottenham in its current relegation battle.

Spurs’ Struggles Mirror Damberg’s Warning

Tottenham Hotspur’s current season provides a vivid backdrop for Damberg’s analogy.

The North London club is only five points above the relegation zone, despite boasting one of the Premier League’s most impressive stadiums and training facilities.

The recent sacking of head coach Thomas Frank underscores the turbulence, with former Juventus manager Igor Tudor stepping in to steady the ship.

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Sir Keir Starmer’s government has appointed Dame Antonia Romeo as the new Cabinet Secretary and head of the civil service, marking the first time a woman has held the country’s most senior civil service role. Her appointment comes after the removal of Sir Chris Wormald, just 14 months into his tenure, and has sparked debate over her previous leadership style and focus on inclusivity initiatives. A Trailblazer With a Controversial Track Record Dame Antonia, 51, previously led the Department for International Trade (DIT), the Ministry of Justice, and the Home Office. During her time at DIT from 2017 to 2021, reports indicate that civil servants were encouraged to engage with inclusivity objectives, including raising awareness of non-binary identities and promoting gender inclusivity in the workplace. One staff member was reportedly tasked with dedicating up to 20 percent of their time to initiatives such as encouraging colleagues to display preferred pronouns, recruiting non-binary staff, and participating in the department’s “gender non-conforming book club.” Members of the club read works like Middlesex, the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Jeffrey Eugenides, as well as books about gender transition. Inclusivity Objectives in Annual Reviews According to reports, these inclusivity tasks contributed roughly 5 percent to a civil servant’s annual performance appraisal. Additional expectations reportedly included engaging with the non-binary corporate network and challenging societal norms that reinforce traditional gender roles. A Cabinet Office spokesperson emphasized that the objectives were agreed between employees and their line managers, not directly set by Dame Antonia. “Antonia was not involved in setting these objectives,” the spokesperson said. Political Reactions and Public Debate The appointment has divided opinion. Reform UK spokesman Zia Yusuf criticized the Prime Minister for appointing someone dubbed “the Queen of Woke” to the UK’s most powerful civil service position, calling her “the embodiment of all that’s wrong with The Blob.” Conversely, former Tory chancellor Nadhim Zahawi, now a member of Reform UK, welcomed the appointment, describing Dame Antonia as a “good appointment.” Downing Street also defended the selection, noting that an enhanced due diligence process was carried out before her appointment. Past Allegations and Clearance Dame Antonia previously faced accusations of bullying related to her time as Consul-General in New York in 2017. However, the Cabinet Office cleared her of these allegations. She has spent nearly a decade leading economic, public services, and security departments and is recognized for her record of delivering for the British public. Leadership in a Time of Change Her appointment comes at a time when the civil service is under scrutiny for its role in implementing government policies while navigating cultural and political sensitivities. Supporters point to her experience across multiple departments as evidence of her ability to manage complex operations at the highest level of government. What’s Next? Dame Antonia’s immediate focus will be overseeing the civil service, ensuring effective policy implementation, and maintaining morale within Whitehall. Observers will watch closely to see how she balances her leadership responsibilities with public and political scrutiny over past inclusivity initiatives. Analysts suggest that her tenure could set precedents for how diversity, equity, and inclusion are integrated into senior civil service roles. Summary By GREG HEFFER, POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT Published: 07:08 EST, 20 February 2026 | Updated: 09:01 EST, 20 February 2026 Dame Antonia Romeo has been appointed the UK’s first female Cabinet Secretary, succeeding Sir Chris Wormald. Her tenure at the Department for International Trade drew attention for inclusivity initiatives, including staff participation in a “gender non-conforming book club” and promoting awareness of non-binary identities, which reportedly contributed to annual performance reviews. While her appointment has sparked criticism from some political figures, the Cabinet Office clarified she did not personally set these objectives. Cleared of past bullying allegations, Dame Antonia brings extensive experience leading major government departments, and her leadership will now shape the civil service amid ongoing debates about diversity and workplace culture.

Sir Keir Starmer Appoints Dame Antonia Romeo as Cabinet Secretary to Lead UK Civil Service Amid Controversy Over Past Inclusivity ProgramsSir Keir Starmer Appoints Dame Antonia Romeo as Cabinet Secretary to Lead UK Civil Service Amid Controversy Over Past Inclusivity Programs

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Tudor faces an immediate challenge, with injuries limiting squad options and a tough opener against rivals Arsenal looming.

“The situation is not easy… we have a lot of injured players, so we need first to find the best system, the suit for the players that are available in this moment,” Tudor said.

He stressed that the focus must be on training, with match results considered a consequence of preparation:

“Sunday and the game is a consequence of the training.”

Economics Lessons from Football

Damberg’s comments drew attention beyond the footballing world.

By likening economic missteps to Spurs’ slump, he highlighted the dangers of underutilizing resources and failing to capitalize on strengths.

Just as the club possesses enormous potential but struggles for consistent results, Sweden’s economy requires careful, forward-thinking governance to fully realize its capabilities.

The analogy also sparked debate among politicians and sports fans alike, with some agreeing that Spurs’ “Spursy” reputation is an apt metaphor for wasted potential.

What’s Next?

For Tottenham, attention now shifts to stabilizing the squad under Tudor, managing injuries, and avoiding relegation.

Every game and training session is critical for reversing their fortunes.

For Sweden, Damberg’s warning serves as a call to action: policymakers will need to focus on long-term strategy, better decision-making, and innovation-driven growth to prevent the economy from faltering.

Analysts suggest monitoring government spending, innovation policies, and industrial performance closely in the coming months to see whether Sweden avoids a “Spursy” outcome.

Summary

Swedish politician Mikael Damberg delivered a jaw-dropping parliamentary speech comparing Sweden’s economic risks to Tottenham Hotspur’s struggles in the Premier League.

He warned that, like Spurs, Sweden has squandered opportunities despite possessing world-class resources and potential.

The analogy comes as Tottenham fights relegation under new coach Igor Tudor, facing injury challenges and a critical match against Arsenal.

Damberg’s comments underscore the importance of strategic, forward-looking governance to avoid wasted potential and ensure Sweden’s economy achieves the growth it is capable of.