Larsson made 133 international appearances, participated in World Championship and European Championship finals, and had a long club career that ended in AIK after several years with Arsenal, Birmingham, Sunderland, and Hull.
What is required as a player – that part he has and has full control over. How it is to be part of and shape and lead a national team? There he is still in school.
"Extremely meticulous"
I have incredibly much to learn, which I really try to do. Like taking in experience and knowledge from other leaders. I try to be like a sponge and absorb. I also try to contribute with my knowledge and experiences.
Your role?
Much of the big job is done between gatherings by following players. There we are extremely meticulous. If a player is current or not, it's no guessing.
I'm one in a group. I have my players (seven to ten) and we meet regularly and discuss players. Jon can't follow 40-45 players and watch 90 minutes all the time. Then we make sure there are ready packages about each player, says Larsson.
Tasks during gatherings?
Then I'm part of the coaching team. All of us in the leadership team are there for the players and for Jon, to support him and get the maximum out of the players during the match. That's the biggest task. He's the boss. We have an open dialogue. He wants people who think and have opinions. It's open and fun discussions and we all know who's the boss.
"Out with the tentacles"
Football philosophically, Larsson quickly had to try to get into Jon Dahl Tomasson's head. Under the Dane, the national team plays in a way that differed from what he was used to as a national team player.
It was really out with the tentacles and learn quickly so that you understand exactly what Jon wants out of different situations in defense and offense, the basics and principles. It triggers me.
So far, Sebastian Larsson is pleased with how the development curve for the national team has looked.
I definitely think we've taken steps. We create a lot, we've felt dangerous in many matches. At the bottom, it's a tribute to the players who quickly learned a new way of thinking, a way of playing football that we're not so used to.
