Sweden coach Janne Andersson was involved in a heated live-on-air argument with Bojan Djordjic in which he appeared to question the former Manchester United player’s loyalty to his country.
The lively exchange happened on Swedish television network Viaplay after their 5-0 win over Azerbaijan in a Euro 2024 qualifier in Stockholm on Monday night.
It started with pundit Djordjic questioning why Jesper Karlsson, the AZ Alkmaar forward who scored Sweden’s fourth goal on the night, didn’t receive more game time.
‘We can discuss the choice of players all damn night, excuse me,’ replied an annoyed Andersson, who suggested to Djordjic that playing Karlsson would mean leaving Newcastle’s Alexander Isak or Coventry’s Viktor Gyokeres out of the side.
As per Aftonbladet, Djordjic countered that eight minutes of action in the last two games was ‘too little’.
Sweden coach Janne Andersson (right) and ex-Man United player turned pundit Bojan Djordjic (left) had a heated argument live on television after Tuesday’s 5-0 win over Azerbaijan
Andersson asked Serbia-born Swede Djordjic ‘who do you represent’ during the argument
Andersson replied angrily: ‘Who shouldn’t play? I get to pick the eleven, who won’t play? Excuse me, but you can do exactly what you want if you are the national team coach.’
The coach then accused Djordjic of ‘whining’ before things got really personal when Andersson asked the Belgrade-born former winger: ‘Who do you represent?’
Djordjic, who represented Sweden to under-21 level but never made a senior appearance, responded: ‘Sweden, of course, why wouldn’t I?’
Taking clear offence at Andersson questioning his Swedish heritage, Djordjic doesn’t let the matter drop, putting the coach on the spot by saying: ‘What kind of thing is this then? Are you going to say something else?’
Amid a flurry of finger pointing and hand gestures, Andersson complains: ‘It is so bad. You stand and talk c**p after a game when we win 5-0.’
Djordjic then really lets rip, saying: ‘You’re talking too much right now, you are being too aggressive. Why?
‘Who else would I represent? What other country? Serbia, did you mean it or not? Is that what you’re trying to say?
The row soured a good night for Sweden as they won the second of their Euro qualifiers
Andersson wasn’t happy about Djordjic’s question about the game time of Jesper Karlsson
‘I represent you as much as anyone else. I will not forget this answer, it’s bad. It’s pretty low for a national team coach to say what you just said. Who do you represent?’
As former Arsenal star Freddie Ljungberg watches on awkwardly alongside Djordjic, the presenter Niklas Jihde interrupted to ask what Andersson was satisfied with from the win.
‘I am not satisfied with anything, it’s bulls***. If I come here and lose 3-0, then I would understand. Then I have to be defensive,’ he said.
‘If we’ve won 5-0, should I be defensive? There are four of you and you will confront me with questions. Damn, that’s bad.’
Andersson then lays down his microphone on the desk and walks away – but that wasn’t the end of the matter.
Djordjic in action for Manchester United in 2001 – he made two appearances for the club
Former Arsenal star Freddie Ljungberg (left) watches on as the row escalated live on TV
Andersson eventually walked out of the interview after Djordjic questioned his remarks
In the press conference a few minutes later, Andersson was asked about his ‘who do you represent’ remark to Djordjic.
‘I don’t know what I said. Don’t talk about Serbia and stuff like that. I can’t stand that kind of s***,’ he said, as per Expressen.
‘I speak to him as a media representative. Don’t mix anything else in, I can’t bear it. I may have expressed myself badly, but don’t mix it up, than I’ll be really p***** off.
‘I can apologise if I said something bad. If I said something bad, I can take responsibility for it. Don’t mix that up, than I get p***** off.’
It overshadowed a strong performance by Sweden, who recovered well from their 3-0 loss to Belgium in their opening Euro qualifier on Friday night.
Man United youngster Anthony Elanga was among their goalscorers in a routine win.
Manchester United forward Anthony Elanga was among Sweden’s scorers on Monday night
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