Rift in Sweden ahead of match against Kosovo

Sweden’s veteran goalkeeper, Robin Olsen, has announced his retirement from the Swedish national team after being told by coach Jon Dahl Tomasson that he is no longer the first choice.

The 35-year-old made a major error on Slovenia’s first goal in the 2-2 draw last month in World Cup qualifying. He also played in the 2-0 defeat to Kosovo days later, making his 79th appearance for Sweden.

On Tuesday, the Swedish Football Association announced the footballer’s retirement, while in an interview published by the newspaper “Aftonbladet” on Wednesday, he said that his decision to retire from the national team would remain in effect as long as Tomasson is the coach. “He is a leader I don’t want to work under,” he said.

Olsen said that Tomasson had told him last month that he was no longer Sweden’s number one, but that he was later told there were no longer any problems.

Tomasson is expected to announce the squad for Sweden’s upcoming October matches against Switzerland and Kosovo. Viktor Johansson is expected to be the first-choice goalkeeper.

Olsen, who is now at Malmö, played for Sweden for 10 years.

In a statement published by the Swedish Football Association, he described representing his country as “a great honour”.