Photo: Bildbyrån
First he got into an open war of words with Hugo Larsson.
Then he had his hand called by Anthony Elanga.
How many bridges can Jon Dahl Tomasson burn before he makes himself completely impossible in Blågult?
This is a comment. The opinions are the writer’s own.
The first real setback for Jon Dahl Tomasson as the national team captain for the Swedish national team came when he came into conflict with the 20-year-old midfielder Hugo Larsson right in front of everyone’s eyes. The Dane openly criticized the youngster in the media, which was not appreciated by the Malmö team, and then all hell broke loose for a short while. Now he is about to sit down in the same seat again.
After all, the relationship with Hugo Larsson seems to have improved somewhat. They had private talks and agreed to start fresh. Then Jon Dahl Tomasson will probably never be Hugo Larsson’s favorite person, and vice versa, but they can at least work together again.
ADVERTISEMENT: Compete for a unique winter experience in the Swedish rally!
After the schism with Larsson, “JDT” decided that he would no longer comment on what he and his players talk about behind closed doors. He kept that promise for just over a month. Then it was time again. But this time he couldn’t reveal what he and Anthony Elanga discussed privately, but rather that he and Anthony Elanga do not speak to each other at all. The 22-year-old winger does not answer when the national team captain calls. But hello?! What kind of world are we living in?
READ MORE: Jon Dahl Tomasson gives new information about Anthony Elanga in Sweden
How can you in today’s society, when every other person has the phone glued to their hand 24/7, miss answering when Swedish football’s most important man calls? There is a dog buried here. Of course, there have been differences between Elanga and Tomasson.
– He hasn’t called me. Not yet. I tried calling him but to no avail. But I’m sure we’ll get in touch before the next game. It’s a long time until then and there’s plenty of time, Tomasson said as he had named his latest national team squad, leaving out the Nottingham pros.
Jon Dahl Tomasson must rethink
It’s all based on the fact that Elanga thinks he’s gotten too little playing time in the national team in recent months. In September, he played just under an hour spread over four Nations League matches. In October, he was selected – but was not allowed to play at all. After the last gathering, the player in question is said to have ignored the joint farewell dinner and rushed home to England in pure anger.
Tomasson has already made friends with two players in the national team during the short time he has been there. He himself says that he does not shy away from making tough decisions.
– Football is about making choices and it is my job to make them. Someone will be disappointed, someone else will be happy. It’s football and it can be tough.
READ MORE: Hugo Larsson directs new criticism at Jon Dahl Tomasson
It is clear that his harsh leadership style is taking its toll and it could cost him dearly in the future. He can’t keep burning more bridges, because soon he will have made himself impossible in the locker room. There is a risk that the national team players will demand that he be fired if he continues to completely fearlessly, and a little clumsily, poke those he doesn’t think are up to par.
What do you think about this? Is Tomasson right to be harsh on his players or should he have a softer leadership style? Feel free to write what you think in the comment field on Sportbibeln’s Facebook page. Share and like-mark the column.
Share