On Tuesday evening, the day before the squad release for the important World Championship qualifying matches against Switzerland and Kosovo, Robin Olsen unexpectedly announced that he is quitting the national football team.
In an interview with Aftonbladet, the 35-year-old Malmö goalkeeper said that he does not intend to play for the Blue and Yellow as long as Jon Dahl Tomasson is the national team manager.
In connection with Wednesday's presentation of the World Championship qualifying squad, the Dane commented on the departure for the first time.
No free rides
I am disappointed with Robin's reaction. I think he has betrayed his teammates by doing this openly, instead of standing beside the other players and being a good teammate, says Tomasson.
I do not think it is right to do it this way. I have been open and honest – that is how I lead.
He describes how he spoke with Olsen a few days ago and then announced that the veteran would not be guarding the goal in the upcoming World Championship qualifying match against Switzerland. In the first two qualifying matches – 2–2 against Slovenia and 0–2 against Kosovo – Robin Olsen was the first choice.
I have supported Robin during the time he has played. He has done well for the national team for a long time and that is why I called and told him that he would not play against Switzerland, but I wanted him to help the national team. He chose not to help the national team.
There are no free rides. You are selected based on your performances.
"Did not expect that"
In the interview with Aftonbladet, Robin Olsen, who made his national team debut in 2015, said that Tomasson had pointed him out as the first-choice goalkeeper before the qualifying matches. And hinted that he is now being dropped, among other things, because of the big mistake he made in the 2–2 match against Slovenia.
The national team manager says that he was surprised by Olsen's reaction.
I did not expect that. The team is always number one. You have to behave like a good teammate, and therefore I feel that he betrayed his teammates.
With Olsen unavailable, Tomasson chose to select Mjällby's Noel Törnqvist as the third goalkeeper behind Viktor Johansson and Kristoffer Nordfeldt.
Johansson, who normally plays for Stoke, is the new first-choice goalkeeper, says Jon Dahl Tomasson.
Viktor will be in goal.
"JDT" does not think that Johansson will be affected by the events surrounding Robin Olsen.
He is very calm and has a positive attitude. He is used to pressure every week in his club. He should not do anything different than he has done in the last year, says the national team manager.
Facts: The entire World Championship qualifying squad
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Here are the players who have been selected for the World Championship qualifying matches against Switzerland (October 10, Solna) and Kosovo (October 13, Gothenburg).
Goalkeepers: Viktor Johansson, Stoke, Kristoffer Nordfeldt, AIK, Noel Törnqvist, Mjällby.
Defenders: Gabriel Gudmundsson, Leeds, Hjalmar Ekdal, Burnley, Isak Hien, Atalanta, Emil Holm, Bologna, Carl Starfelt, Celta Vigo, Victor Nilsson Lindelöf, Aston Villa, Ken Sema, Pafos, Daniel Svensson, Dortmund, Gustaf Lagerbielke, Braga.
Midfielders/forwards: Yasin Ayari, Brighton, Roony Bardghji, Barcelona, Alexander Bernhardsson, Kiel, Anthony Elanga, Newcastle, Jesper Karlström, Udinese, Hugo Larsson, Eintracht Frankfurt, Benjamin Nygren, Celtic, Anton Salétros, AIK, Jordan Larsson, Copenhagen, Alexander Isak, Newcastle, Lucas Bergvall, Tottenham, Niclas Eliasson, AEK Athens, Viktor Gyökeres, Arsenal.
