STOCKHOLM (AP) – Veteran Swedish goalkeeper Robin Olsen has announced his retirement from international football after coach John Dahl Thomason told him he wouldn’t be the first pick anymore.
The 35-year-old Olsen made a major mistake last month, leading to Slovenia’s goal in a 2-2 draw in Sweden’s World Cup qualifiers.
Olsen began his 2-0 defeat to Kosovo four days later, making his 79th appearance in Sweden, but the Swedish football federation announced on Tuesday that he was effectively ending his international career.
In an interview with Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet, published Wednesday, Olsen plays for Malmo after leaving Aston Villa in the summer, but said his decision to retire from international duties will stand while Thomasson remains a coach as “a leader I don’t want to work.”
In an interview, Olsen said that Thomasson said last month he was Sweden’s first goalkeeper, but that wasn’t the case from his coach.
Thomasson is scheduled to announce his team in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Switzerland and Kosovo on Wednesday, with Victor Johansson likely taking over as goalkeeper for his first choice.
Olsen, who played for 10 years in Sweden, said in a statement issued by the federal government, “It is a great honor to represent my country and I have always felt a great support from our supporters.”
National Team Manager Stephen Pettersson said it was “sad” that Olsen chose to retire and “means a huge amount” for the Swedish team.
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