On Friday morning, we covered the shock in the Swedish over Jon Dahl Tomasson’s comments after he was asked about the Middlesbrough vacancy and very much refused to rule out moving to the Championship club.
The Swedish media were confused as the national team manager left the door to the exit so clearly open, and later there were columns suggesting he’s tempted by the prospect of a move and perhaps isn’t as committed to the national team as others because he’s not Swedish and doesn’t live in the country.
Sweden faced Hungary on Friday evening and won 2-0, and it was inevitable that after the match Jon Dahl Tomasson would again be asked about Middlesbrough and quizzed about his previous comments.
Sure enough, that’s exactly what happened and the manager started off well, with FotbollDirekt quoting him as saying: “When players do well, there are rumours, the same with coaches. It’s part of the sport. All my time goes to Sweden. I want to do well and qualify us (for the 2026 World Cup). I have no plans to leave here. Rumours are part of the sport.”
That would have ticked the boxes the Swedish media wanted checking, but the former Denmark international couldn’t leave it there and went on to say: “You can’t guarantee anything in life or in football. I’m enjoying my time here. I have a good relationship with the staff, the players and the association. I’m looking forward to starting in September (the next international break) with all the players.
“There have been clubs that have asked, but it’s not out. By the way, I’m not saying Middlesbrough have asked. It’s part of the game.”
Those comments, as a whole, are not going to do a great deal to calm a growing suspicion in Sweden that the manager is tempted by returning to club football.
