Calle Halfvarsson is breaking with the Swedish national team. But the national team coach is not surprised.

“I’ve had a feeling about this for a long time,” says Sweden’s national team coach Anders Byström.

On Friday morning, Calle Halfvarsson announced that he is done with the Swedish cross-country skiing national team. The 36-year-old, who became a father for the second time last year, is stepping away from the national team after 14 years as a regular member of the squad.

“Those who hate me probably think it’s nice to be rid of me,” says the 36-year-old.

The news did not come as a direct shock to national team coach Anders Byström.

“He has expressed this in our discussions — that with his family situation, he wants a slightly different setup,” Byström told Expressen.

Read More: Calle Halfvarsson leaves the Swedish National Team – Shifts focus

“It’ll be great”

Byström has been in contact with Halfvarsson via SMS on Friday morning.

“I think the new setup can be very good for Calle. It’ll be great. I think that since he’s been in this for so long, it’s fitting for him to try something new and follow his own program,” he says.

It’s no secret that Halfvarsson did not have his strongest season this winter.

Would he have been included in the national team squad if he hadn’t decided to leave now?

“We’re working on the selection right now, and the squad for next season isn’t finalized yet. So, I won’t comment on that. But it’s clear that the season didn’t turn out the way he or we had hoped. He’s also had back problems, which have been a constant issue.”

Bittersweet

Byström admits that it’s bittersweet to lose the veteran. He’s a skier who has meant a lot to the sport, to William Poromaa, Edvin Anger, and the young stars who’ve emerged in recent years.

“He’s shown the way for many. Calle has often received a lot of criticism, but people who don’t know what it’s like on the inside don’t understand the work he’s done for Swedish skiing. And he’s a fantastic person to have on the team,” says Byström.

At the same time, the national team coach doesn’t believe that all ties with the federation are cut.

“He’s not disappearing from the face of the earth. He’ll still be present at competitions, still train in Falun, and will likely join many sessions. But now, it’s others who will be driving the train in the national team.”

Now, the parties will meet to address loose ends and plan the way forward.

“I, the coaches, and Calle will sit down and talk. If he still wants to have contact with us or receive support from us, then we’ll discuss it at that point.”

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