In the book "Then Was Then", written together with Henrik Johnsson, the former national team manager is critical of the people who governed the football association when he stepped down in December 2023.
"With the new management, one who doesn't even go down to the locker room and one who doesn't have a clue about national-team football, it will be different when we go out and compete in the big football world. That worries me," he writes.
When Andersson retired after 7.5 years – with a European Championship and a World Cup on his list of achievements – he wanted to take stock and share his experiences. He described how he was met with silence.
"I have met 45 nations during my time. Not even asking what I think is important, not even asking the question out of curiosity and then, if you want, ignoring what I said, is incomprehensible."
Potter got in touch
Newly appointed football manager Kim Källström also did not make time to talk, according to Andersson. Källström explains to SVT why he chose not to share Andersson's experiences as national coach.
"When I came into my role as football manager, everything was already settled around his departure and I chose to focus on moving forward to build the organisation, which was partly done with the experience that remained in-house. We at SvFF know what Janne Andersson has meant to the men's national team and Swedish football, not least thanks to the quarter-finals in the 2018 World Cup," writes Källström.
In an interview with TT, Janne Andersson says:
Not being able to share what I know felt strange to me. I can't understand it. It made me sad and disappointed. It's not like you have a lot of solutions, but you can find shortcuts to move forward.
However, current national team manager Graham Potter has gotten in touch and wants to talk:
He wanted us to have dinner, but we couldn't make it. We'll see how it goes, but I'm definitely in. I'd be happy to do it.
What would you ask during a conversation with Potter?
I would turn it around and let him ask questions. I think it's better for him to take it from his perspective.
Brought in Lagerbäck
I brought in Lasse Lagerbäck myself because I hadn't been a national team manager. I called around to former national team managers to get an idea.
What do you say if Potter wants you as a sounding board for the World Cup this summer?
I don't want to speculate, but if you want to listen to me, who has been to a European Championship and a World Cup, I am of course open to it. I want things to go well for Swedish football, for the national team, for my old players and managers. If they think I can contribute and want to listen, I will be there every day of the week.
