0–2 against Kosovo became the final point for Robin Olsen's national team career.
During Tuesday evening, the 35-year-old Malmö goalkeeper announced that he is ending his time in Blågult – in the middle of the ongoing World Championship qualification.
Dismissed prematurely
The reason is a disagreement with national team captain Jon Dahl Tomasson.
I and Jon Dahl Tomasson sat at the gathering a month ago where he says that I am number one, that I will 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 will replace me and then I felt that he is a leader I do not want to work under, says Olsen to Aftonbladet and continues:
He said that I would not play in the upcoming matches and that I would not play against Switzerland, but that he wanted to take me in the squad. But I was clear and clear to him, I will not do that. Then I unfortunately have to make this big decision.
"It's sad"
The Malmö son made his national team debut in 2015 and has since then managed 79 international matches in the Swedish jersey. In the European Championship 2016, he was a backup to Andreas Isaksson, but when Isaksson said goodbye after the championship, Olsen took over as the first goalkeeper – a position he has held for almost a decade.
"Robin Olsen has made many strong performances over a long period and has meant an enormous amount for the Swedish national team. It's sad that he chooses to quit and we wish Robin all the best in his further career", says national team manager Stefan Pettersson.
He also participated in the European Championship 2021 and in the World Championship tournament 2018.
There will not be any more international matches, as long as Sweden does not change national team captain.
I will not play in the national team as long as Jon Dahl Tomasson is the national team captain.
Criticized
In the end, Viktor Johansson has stepped in as a replacement between the posts when Olsen has not been able to play.
Olsen ended up in the spotlight during the last national team gathering after the weak performances against Slovenia (2–2) and Kosovo (0–2). After the meeting with Slovenia, the goalkeeper was heavily questioned.
Apart from playing in MFF, Olsen has represented several clubs on the international market such as Aston Villa, Sheffield United, Roma, and FC Copenhagen.
Already on Wednesday at 12.00, national team captain Jon Dahl Tomasson will present the squad for the upcoming World Championship qualification matches against Switzerland and Kosovo.
