Stockholm  - Sweden has begun the search for a new coach as Lars Lagerback retired after failing to qualify for the 2010 World Cup.

Sweden's slim hopes of securing a play-off spot were dashed on Wednesday by Portugal's 4-0 win at home over Malta.

Lagerback's decade-long stint at the helm ended with a 4-1 win at home over Albania with two goals by veteran defender Olof Mellberg, one by young Hamburg striker Marcus Berg, and one by playmaker Anders Svensson.

"It really sucks but that's life," Lagerback said after his 173rd international as Sweden missed the World Cup in third place in its group behind Denmark and Portugal.

"It was good to end with a win. It would have sucked even more if we had lost."

Lagerback, 61, led Sweden to three European championships and two World Cups. He was assistant national coach 1998-99 to Tommy Soderberg and in 2000 shared the head coach position with Soderberg until Soderberg resigned in 2004.

After the match Wednesday, Lagerback and his deputy Roland Anderssonb were cheered and each given a scarf by members of the Camp Sweden fan club.

With Lagerback off the stage, a new coach might consider introducing new tactics and consider young promising players. Lagerback's guiding principle of relying on team spirit rather than encouraging invidivual efforts appeared to have run its course, and the Swedish goal drought has been a problem in the qualifications.

Several players announced they would also retire from the national team with the failure to qualify to the World Cup finals.

Henrik Larsson, sidelined Wednesday by pain in a knee, is one of players who will call it quits. The veteran forward won 106 caps for Sweden, scoring in his debut 1993 against Finland. Defender Mikael Nilsson and midfielder Daniel Andersson also said they have no plans to continue.

Lagerback is not sure of what he will do in the future, but jokingly observed that he at least didn't have to consider what games he had to watch over the weekend.

Sune Hellstromer, secretary general of the Swedish Football Association, said finding a new coach "will take place in due time."

Sports commentators have launched names like Sven-Goran Eriksson and Gus Hiddink, but big international names are likely too costly.

Swede Erik Hamren, who coaches Norwegian side Rosenborg and has had good results in the Danish and Swedish leagues, is one of the favourites, along with Hans Backe who has worked with Eriksson.

Barcelona forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic last week got some laughs and nods of approval when he suggested Henrik Larsson for the position as coach, citing his knowledge of the game and team. (dpa)