Sweden coach Jan Andersson has been involved in a heated argument on air with Bojan Djordic in which he appeared to question the former Manchester United player’s loyalty to his country.
A lively exchange took place on Swedish television network Viaplay following their 5-0 win over Azerbaijan in a Euro 2024 qualifier in Stockholm on Monday night.
It started with pundit Djoordic wondering why Jesper Karlsson, the AZ Alkmaar striker who scored Sweden’s fourth goal that night, didn’t get more game time.
‘We can discuss player selection all night, excuse me,’ replied an annoyed Anderson, and suggested that playing Carlsson would mean leaving Newcastle’s Alexander Isak or Coventry’s Victor Geocres out of the team.
according aftonbladetDjordic responded that eight minutes of action in the last two matches was “too little”.
Sweden coach Jan Andersson (right) and former Man United player-turned-critic Bojan Djordjic (left) got into a heated argument on live television after the 5-0 win over Azerbaijan on Tuesday.
Anderson, a Serbian-born Swede, asked “who do you represent” during the discussion
Anderson angrily replied, “Who doesn’t play? I can pick an eleven, who won’t play? Excuse me, but you can do exactly what you want if you’re the national team coach.”
He then accused coach Djordjic of “nagging” before things got really personal when Anderson asked the former Belgrade-born winger: “Who do you represent?”
Djurdic, who has represented Sweden under-21s but never featured prominently, replied: “Sweden, of course, why wouldn’t I?”
In directing an apparent attack on Anderson for questioning his Swedish heritage, Djoordich didn’t let it drop, setting the coach on the spot by saying, “So what is that thing? Are you going to say something else?”
Amidst a flurry of finger-pointing and hand-gesturing, Anderson complains, “It’s too bad.” You stand up and talk after a game when we won 5-0.
Then Djordich really lets a rip, saying, “You talk too much now, you’re so aggressive.” Why?
Who else will I represent? What other country? Serbia, did you mean it or not? Is that what you’re trying to say?
The controversies turned sour good night to Sweden as they won their second European Championship qualifier
Anderson was not happy with Djordic asking about the time of Jesper Carlsson’s game
I represent you like no one else. I won’t forget this answer, it sucks. It’s very difficult for the national team coach to say what you just said. Who do you represent?
As former Arsenal star Freddie Ljungberg watched awkwardly alongside Djurdic, presenter Niklas Jehdi interrupted to ask if Anderson was satisfied with the win.
I’m not satisfied with anything, it’s bulls***. If I came here and lost 3-0, I would understand. Then I have to be defensive.
If we win 5-0, do I have to be defensive? There are four of you and you are going to confront me with questions. Damn, that’s bad.
Then Anderson put his microphone on the desk and walked away – but that wasn’t the end of it.
Djordic to play for Manchester United in 2001 – He made two appearances for the club
Former Arsenal star Freddie Ljungberg (left) watches the spat live on TV
Anderson eventually withdrew from the interview after Djordic questioned his statements
At the press conference a few minutes later, Anderson was asked about his remark “who do you represent” to Djordjic.
– I don’t know what you said. Don’t talk about Serbia and things like that. I can’t stand this kind of hell,” he said, according to him Expressen.
‘I speak to him as a media representative. Do not mix anything else, I can’t stand it. I may have expressed myself poorly, but don’t confuse it, I’m actually going to be nervous.
I can apologize if I said something bad. If I say something bad, I can take responsibility for it. Don’t confuse it, than get rid of it.
And it overshadowed a strong performance by Sweden, who recovered well from their 3-0 loss to Belgium in their first European Championship qualifier on Friday night.
Young Manchester United player Anthony Elanga was among the scorers in a routine win.
Manchester United striker Anthony Elanga was among the Swedes’ top scorers on Monday night
