Newcastle United star Anthony Elanga is said to have unleashed a furious outburst after his native Sweden were beaten 1-0 by Kosovo in Gothenburg on Monday evening.
The 23-year-old was forced to watch much of the match from the bench after he was dropped again by boss Jon Dahl Tomasson.
The Magpies winger was clearly disappointed with the decision when speaking with the media after the game. "It's frustrating. As a footballer, you always want to play. I was completely healthy,” the ex-Manchester United star said.
"I'm disappointed, that's clear. I feel refreshed, but you have to respect that [not being picked]."
When asked if he had received an explanation for being left out, Elanga admitted: "No, but it's hard to take a break."
Those comments came after Elanga was able to cool off, following a frustrated outburst when going down the tunnel immediately after the humiliating defeat.
Newcastle United star Anthony Elanga is said to have embarked on a furious outburst after his native Sweden were beaten 1-0 by Kosovo in Gothenburg on Monday evening
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According to Radiosporten reporter Jonas Enarson, Elanga fumed: “The f***king system has to go!”
Dahl Tomasson was then asked what he had made of Elanga's tunnel outburst and said: "I haven't heard what he said, so I can't comment on it."
After Sweden’s disappointing 2-0 home defeat against Switzerland on Friday, in which Elanga was an unused substitute, Dahl Tomasson opted for the same 3-5-2 system that leaves the winger without a role in the starting squad.
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Sweden have just one point in their World Cup qualification campaign so far
|REUTERS
The 49-year-old boss defended his decision to stick with the system.
"We have worked on a system, on how we are going to play," he said.
"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."
Sweden now sit at the bottom of their qualifying group, receiving just one point from their four games. They do have a lifeline, however: finishing top of their Nations League group means they still have the chance to go to next summer’s World Cup via a play-off.
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But Elanga’s chances in the international team could be about to change. With the Blue and Yellow languishing at the bottom of their World Cup qualifying group, the Swedish Football Association announced its decision to sack Dahl Tomasson this morning.
Simon Astrom, chairman of the Swedish Football Association, said: "The decision taken by the Swedish Football Association is based on the fact that the men's national team has not delivered the results we hoped for.
"There is still a chance for a playoff in March, and our responsibility is to ensure that we have the best possible conditions to be able to reach the World Cup finals.
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"In this regard, we believe that new leadership is required in the form of a new national manager."
The former Blackburn Rovers boss, who was the first foreign manager of the Swedish national team, left his role after nine wins from 18 matches.
With Elanga moving to Champions League club Newcastle for £55million this summer, it certainly begs the question as to why he wasn’t one of the first names on the team sheet.
One player who is struggling to adapt to life after a big-money move is talisman Alexander Isak. The striker moved to Liverpool this summer for a monster £125million fee, but has started the season slowly.
The 26-year-old has just one goal to his name this season, in the Carabao Cup against Championship side Southampton.
Before his dismissal, Dahl Tomasson appeared to call out the struggling star, saying his side “forgot how to score goals”.