SWEDEN’S manager stormed out of a live TV interview after accusing a former Manchester United star of “talking c**p”.
Janne Andersson, 60, spoke to the Viaplay pundits after Sweden thrashed Azerbaijan 5-0 in Stockholm in Euro 2024 qualifying on Monday.
However, what should have been a routine post-match discussion exploded into a blazing row on air.
And it culminated in the gaffer angrily gesticulating at the panel, questioning their loyalty to Sweden and then slamming his microphone down on the table and walking off.
Andersson took exception to former Red Devils man Bojan Djordjic quizzing him on the “too little” game time given to Jesper Karlsson.
The AZ Alkmaar man got just eight minutes in total against Azerbaijan and Belgium during this international break – although still chipped in with a goal last night before United’s Anthony Elanga completed the rout.
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Andersson, who took charge of Sweden in 2016, fired back: “We can discuss the choice of players all damn night, excuse me.
“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.”
Andersson insisted playing Karlsson would mean Newcastle’s Alexander Isak or Coventry’s Viktor Gyokeres would need to drop out.
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He accused Djordjic of “whining” and appeared to question his heritage by asking him: “Who do you represent?”
Belgrade-born Djordjic – who played for Sweden at Under-21 level but did not earn a senior cap – clearly took offence and responded: “Sweden, of course, why wouldn’t I?
“What kind of thing is this then? Are you going to say something else?”
Andersson pointed furiously and waved his hand in disgust at Djordjic, adding: “It is so bad. You stand and talk c**p after a game when we win 5-0.”
Djordjic then unleashed a stinging response: “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?
“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?”
Presenter Niklas Jihde tried to diffuse the situation by asking how Andersson was satisfied by the 5-0 win.
‘IT’S BULLS***’
But the manager said: “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.
“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.”
An irate Andersson then plonked the microphone down and headed out of shot to leave the pundits stunned – including ex-Arsenal winger Freddie Ljungberg.
The national team boss continued his tirade in the press conference when he was asked about his comment to Djordjic’s representation.
He added: “I don’t know what I said. Don’t talk about Serbia and stuff like that. I can’t stand that kind of s***.
“I speak to him as a media representative. I may have expressed myself badly.
“If I said something bad, I can take responsibility and apologise for it. Don’t mix that up, then I get p***** off.”
Djordjic, 41, joined Manchester United as a youngster in 1999 and spent six years on the books at Old Trafford.
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The former winger made two senior appearances under Sir Alex Ferguson.
He went on to turn out for Rangers, Plymouth and Blackpool as well as teams around Europe including in Sweden before finishing his career with a year in India.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk