Uninformed perceptions from far away about the Sweden national team would be that it’s a calm camp without any drama. Reality couldn’t be much further from the truth and that’s been the case for years.
There’s always a drama brewing. Whether that be a player sulking, or others refusing to speak to the local media because they dared to be critical. There’s always something going on.
Robin Olsen, who left Aston Villa at the end of his contract in June, is the man at the centre of the latest drama. And he’s very much the protagonist.
Whilst at Aston Villa, Olsen accepted the role as a back up Emi Martinez. He never caused a fuss. However, the 35-year-old isn’t prepared to be anything other than first choice with Sweden.
In a complete tantrum after being told by manager Jon Dahl Tomasson that he would no longer be No.1, he’s quit. He’s also said he’ll never play for the national side again under the current manager.
Olsen obviously didn’t show that temper at Aston Villa.
The veteran, who is now at Malmo FF, has been long term No.1.
He missed the Nations league due to injury and Stoke City’s Viktor Johansson did excellently in his place. Olsen was then given the nod for the World Cup qualifiers and was poor in both games.
FotbollDirekt quote Olsen as saying: “Jon Dahl Tomasson and I sat at the meeting a month ago where he said that I am number one, that I should be the first goalkeeper. And as everyone knows, I made a mistake against Slovenia and that’s never fun. But then I got a call from him yesterday that he was going to replace me and then I felt that he is a leader that I don’t want to work under. That’s why I choose to thank him and go, at least as long as Jon Dahl Tomasson is the national team manager.”
Since the chat Olsen mentions there’s been the two matches he was poor in. Therefore his reaction is ridiculous.
FotbollDirekt say it’s an ‘undignified’ response from the goalkeeper, and they’re probably right.
