Sweden boss rests Zlatan ahead of Euros
Zlatan Ibrahimovic will sit out Sweden's
upcoming friendly with Turkey as his coach Erik Hamren wants to save the 34-year-old's energies for the Euro 2016 contest.
Sweden's star striker, who also plays for Paris side PSG, was supposed to take to the pitch on Thursday. However his manager had other ideas.
"I've been thinking how best to preserve his energies for the summer. I have no say over his playing time in Paris so I've proposed to him that he sits out the Turkey game," said Erik Hamren ahead of the Thursday away tie.
The giant superstar striker however is likely to play a friendly against the Czech Republic on March 29th.
"That would be good for him and good for the team," said the Sweden boss.
Ibrahimovic has just led Paris to a fourth straight League 1 title and the French side are also getting ready to tackle Manchester City in the Champions League quarter-finals.
The Swedes take on Italy, Ireland and Belgium in Group E in the June 10th – July 10th finals.
Meanwhile speculation continues about where Ibrahimovic, 34, is set to play after his contract with PSG runs out this summer.
The striker has been linked to clubs both in England and Italy.
Last week he told sports channel Bein Sports that "for now, I will not be at PSG next season".
However, he hinted that he may yet be talked into staying: "I don't believe they can change the Eiffel Tower for my statue. (…) But if they can I'll stay, I promise you!"
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Sweden's star striker, who also plays for Paris side PSG, was supposed to take to the pitch on Thursday. However his manager had other ideas.
"I've been thinking how best to preserve his energies for the summer. I have no say over his playing time in Paris so I've proposed to him that he sits out the Turkey game," said Erik Hamren ahead of the Thursday away tie.
The giant superstar striker however is likely to play a friendly against the Czech Republic on March 29th.
"That would be good for him and good for the team," said the Sweden boss.
Ibrahimovic has just led Paris to a fourth straight League 1 title and the French side are also getting ready to tackle Manchester City in the Champions League quarter-finals.
The Swedes take on Italy, Ireland and Belgium in Group E in the June 10th – July 10th finals.
Meanwhile speculation continues about where Ibrahimovic, 34, is set to play after his contract with PSG runs out this summer.
The striker has been linked to clubs both in England and Italy.
Last week he told sports channel Bein Sports that "for now, I will not be at PSG next season".
However, he hinted that he may yet be talked into staying: "I don't believe they can change the Eiffel Tower for my statue. (…) But if they can I'll stay, I promise you!"
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