Ex-Man United player sacked from Sweden for 'bizarre' behavior including 'skipping team dinner and not answering calls'
Anthony Elanga was left out of the Swedish national team and supposedly does not respond to his coach's calls.
The striker is part of the Nottingham Forest team that is fifth in the Premier League, but it has been a different story for Elanga when it comes to international football.
He was on the bench during last month's matches against Slovakia and Estonia.
Reports from the Swedish media the football channel Let's say that Elanga was the only player on the team who did not attend the team dinner after the 3-0 victory over Estonia.
Sweden coach Jon Dahl Tomasson responded to questions about Elanga's absence from his squad for the upcoming Nations League clashes against Slovakia and Azerbaijan.
Asked if Elanga was angry, the former Blackburn manager said: “I don't know.
“You can ask Anthony yourself if he was angry or not. I don't know.”
Asked why the first manchester united The player was not at the dinner, Tomasson remained shy.
“I don't think I'm the right person to ask that. It's better to ask him,” he said.
The former Malmo boss was asked on Monday if he had already spoken to Elanga.
“No, he hasn't called me,” he said. “Not yet.
“I tried to call him but we couldn't connect. But I'm sure we will get in touch before the next games.
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“There's a lot of time until then.”
He also described Elanga's behavior as “strange” but admits there is “nothing” he can change.
Elanga left Manchester United in 2023 when he joined Forest for £15 million, ending a nine-year association with the Red Devils.
He has also made 19 appearances for his country since 2022, scoring three goals in that time.
The 22-year-old could play for Sweden, Cameroon or England at international level, but chose the former because he was born there.
Former Danish player Tomasson was appointed Sweden coach in February, replacing Janne Andersson.
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They currently sit first in their Nations League group.
“Of course, players are disappointed when they are not selected,” continued Danish coach Tomasson, who in February became Sweden's first foreign coach.
“Alexander Isak and Emil Forsberg are back and when two players come back, one has to go.
“You don't want to make decisions like that as a human being, but as a coach it's your job and that's what being a coach is all about.
“There will always be someone who will feel disappointed, but that's football and part of it.”
While Sweden is still without Elanga, the winger and Nottingham Forest will return to action against Arsenal on November 23.
