Tomasson set to begin new Sweden era with Larsson in tow

(Corrects to remove reference to 2020 Euros in penultimate paragraph)

By Philip O'Connor

STOCKHOLM :There were more than a few raised eyebrows when Sweden turned to Denmark's Jon Dahl Tomasson to become their national team coach, but the path will be smoothed by his choice of talismanic Sweden midfielder Sebastian Larsson as his assistant.

The new era kicks off with a friendly away to Euro 2024 finalists Portugal on Thursday before the Swedes take on Albania in Stockholm on Monday - and former Malmo manager Tomasson said he had put some tough battles with Larsson, who played in midfield for AIK, behind him.

"You want that in any team as a player, but you also want staff members with the right attitude," Tomasson told Reuters as he presented his first squad.

For Larsson, it's a welcome return to the Sweden set-up.

"Once I had the conversation with Jon and things felt good, I got the question (about joining his staff) - my answer was very quick," Larsson told Reuters.

The appointment of Larsson, who in 133 caps for Sweden over 13 years came to embody his country's industrious, no-nonsense playing style, has calmed some of the criticism over the appointment of a coach from neighbouring Denmark to the top job.

"It was a no-brainer for me, really - the national team has meant so much to me over the years, and still means so much to me, so it was just an honour," Larsson said.

It is a shrewd move by the 47-year-old Tomasson, who has promised to play a more possession-based attacking style of football, which is at odds with Sweden's traditional direct, British-inspired approach.

MODERN GAME

In a nod to his roots in Denmark's Dutch-inspired style of playing, Tomasson declined to talk formations and instead steered the discussion