Anthony Elanga In Furious Tunnel Incident As Sweden Sack Head Coach
Anthony Elanga was reportedly involved in a heated moment in the tunnel following Sweden's disastrous 1-0 loss to Kosovo.
On Monday evening, Sweden suffered a shock 1-0 loss to Kosovo in a World Cup qualifying match at their home ground, the Ullevi stadium in Gothenburg.
The result marks the nation's third successive defeat and means that securing automatic qualification to the 2026 World Cup is now impossible, with a spot in the play-offs far from secure.
As it stands, Sweden sit bottom of their group with just one point from four games, with group leaders Switzerland on ten points, Kosovo on seven and Slovenia on three.
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And it appears the dreadful run of form has taken its toll on Elanga, who was reportedly heard shouting in frustration in the tunnel after the loss to Kosovo.
Less than 24 hours after the loss to Kosovo, the Swedish football federation confirmed that they had sacked manager Jon Dahl Tomasson
"The decision made by the association board is based on the fact that the men's national team has not delivered the results we hoped for," Swedish Football Association's chairman Simon Astrom confirmed in a statement.
But it isn't just the Tomasson that will have been frustrated by the result, as a report from Swedish radio station Radiosporten's has revealed that Elanga was heard shouting at his teammates in the tunnel after Tuesday's loss.
Reporter Jonas Enarson claimed that he heard the Newcastle United star exclaim 'the damn system must go,' among other things while in the players' tunnel.
However, the 23-year-old then gathered himself before speaking to the press to assess his side's performance.
"We also have to take responsibility," Elanga admitted.
"We have worked on a system, on how we are going to play. Then it may look a little different when you are on the field. And it is also us who are on the field who have to take responsibility.
Despite enjoying an impressive start at St James' Park, Elanga was named on the bench for the match against Kosovo, a decision which he later admitted was hard to take.
He added: "It's frustrating. As a footballer, you always want to play. I was completely healthy.
"I'm disappointed that's clear. I feel refreshed, but you have to respect that (not being picked)."
Topics: Anthony Elanga, Sweden, Football, Newcastle United
Ben McCrum