Swedish national team coach Jon Dahl Tomasson says that he is disappointed in Robin Olsen after the 35-year-old current Malmö keeper underlined that he is quitting his international career as he doesn´t want to work any longer with the former Danish international striker.
"I am disappointed with Robin's reaction; he has let his teammates down by airing his criticism in the media instead of standing united with his teammates", said Tomasson at a press conference on Wednesday.
Tomasson elaborated on what he felt was wrong in the goalkeeper's reaction:
"You tell a teammate that he is not good enough, and he fights just as hard for that position. You tell teammates who work hard that he's not worth it", he continues.
Tomasson says he was caught off guard by Olsen's sudden departure.
"No, it was nothing I expected. The team always comes first. You must always behave as a team player. That's why I think he let his teammates down."
Olsen earlier explained that he had had a phone call with Tomasson, where the Danish coach had informed him that he was the No. 1 choice between the posts.
But subsequently, Olsen performed so badly during the World Cup qualifying matches against Slovenia and Kosovo that it allegedly had consequences for the agreement they had otherwise entered into.
Tomasson confirms the call to Olsen in which the goalkeeper was told that he would be replaced for the upcoming match against Switzerland, but says he wished Olsen to continue in the national team.
"Then he decided not to continue helping the national team", says Tomasson.
When asked why Olsen was going to be replaced, Tomasson says:
"I was very clear and honest after the match (against Kosovo) that players are allowed to make mistakes, that they are not robots. We didn't play our best game, but it was a decision made after the effort on the pitch."
After Robin Olsen's resignation, Viktor Johansson is now expected to be in goal for the matches against Switzerland and Kosovo later in October.