Jonas Olsson grateful to say his West Brom goodbyes properly
“As a footballer you have a platform where you can do things, you might as well use it for something good.”
For the best part of a decade, Jonas Olsson was the bedrock of Albion’s back-line, the no-nonsense defender who helped establish the Baggies in the Premier League.
Bought from Dutch side NEC Nijmegen for £800,000, he went on to make 250 appearances for the Baggies during a career that endeared him in the hearts of many fans.
But in March this year, his contract was mutually terminated so he could return to Sweden to join Djugarden IF.
It was an abrupt departure in the middle of the season. One minute he was there, the next he was gone.
“I left in such a hurry in mid-season,” said Olsson. “I spoke to the Swedish club on Monday and by Sunday it was a done deal.
“I didn’t have time to say goodbye to the people here or the fans. We always had a special bond.
“They’ve always been good to me, I felt included and welcome from the first day.
“It will be really nice to take to the pitch for a final time.”
Olsson was talking ahead of Sunday’s game with Manchester United, when he was fans champion for the day.
Placing the ball on the plinth before the match, he was given his farewell. The Smethwick End sang his name, he gave them a double thumbs up back in response.
He was always planning to return once the Swedish season, which is now finished, had come to a close.
But last weekend was a chance visit. He had initially planned to fly to India with his new charity, the Jonas Olsson Foundation, but was warned not to visit because of the deadly air pollution engulfing Delhi.
“I went out to India a year-and-a-half ago with the Albion Foundation and I heard about the job they were doing out there and wanted to see it with my own eyes,” said Olsson
“I was really affected by it and wanted to set something up myself with the help of (Albion head of content) Ian Skidmore and (Albion Foundation director) Rob Lake.
“We set up my foundation and it’s been a great ride. It’s a long-term commitment and I’m really proud of the work we’re doing there with underprivileged kids in the slums in Delhi, providing for their basic needs like healthcare, exercise and doing some football sessions.
“It’s important to invest funds, but also time and yourself.
“Being a dad myself I came back to my daughter and hugged her, realising she has everything – she has all the opportunities to go and chase her dreams and make what she wants out of her life.
“Those kids just don’t. That’s what really stuck to me. The young kids are not aware of their situation or fate, so to speak, but the older kids are slowly getting that awareness. They know life is going to be pretty hard. That hit me as well.
“The older kids lose their hope when they realise their situation, so we try to do our bit.
“There are a lot of extraordinary people out there working hard. I’m really proud of the work they’ve been doing to help me set up my Foundation.
“It’s a work in progress, but we’ll keep working until we make a difference.”
Olsson has always been aware of his place in the world, a man with an intellectual hinterland.
When he was at Albion he liked to engage people in big topics, there isn’t much he could do in retirement that will surprise those who know him.
In the past he’s even expressed an interest in a career in politics.
“That was an interview 10 years ago that was blown out of proportion!” he laughs. “But I’ve always been interested in society and injustice – not only in the Third World but also here.
“I’ve always been eager to listen to and understand why people are the way they are.
“Everyone has a story, and everyone is shaped by that story. It makes you more intelligent person when you see different perspectives, that was another reason I wanted to go out to India.”
Retirement isn’t here for the 34-year-old just yet though.
Olsson is targeting at least one more year with Djugarden, who finished third in the Allsvenkan in the season just gone behind Malmo and AIK and so qualified for the Europa League.
He only missed a handful of games, and quickly cemented himself as one of Djugarden’s leading defenders.
And on two occasions, groups of Baggies fans made the trip over to Sweden to see him.
“They’ve been really good coming out to see me,” he said. “I think one group was a stag do. And it was a game when I scored twice, which was something!
“And then another group came and I think it was a derby game. They enjoyed it, the atmosphere is brilliant.
“It’s a big club but they’ve been struggling the last decade or so. It was a good season, I’m looking forward to next season, it will probably be my final one.”
Long after Olsson hangs up his boots, and his hair bobble, he will be fondly remembered by Albion fans.
And it seems he will still be making an impact in people’s lives each week, just in a different way, on a different continent.
'I nearly joined Tottenham' - Olsson
Meanwhile the Baggies legend also revealed that he nearly left Albion and signed for Tottenham in 2012.
The centre-back achieved cult hero status during an eight-and-a-half year stay at The Hawthorns, which ended in March this year.
But it transpires he could have departed much earlier, confirming a move to Spurs was at one stage “very close”.
Olsson was regularly starting for Sweden during that period of his career and played for his country in the Euro 2012 tournament.
“It’s always hard to say what is close and what wasn’t,” he said.
“But Spurs was very close in 2012 after I had a good season. I was playing for my country regularly and played in the Euros.
“If any rumours were true, that was the one. The others were all part of the silly season.
“I was proud of my time here, and happy that the club was always very loyal to me and rewarded me when I did well.”
In that regard, he has been impressed at how well the club’s latest defensive recruit, Ahmed Hegazi, has adapted to life in the English top flight.
Albion completed the signing of the Egyptian, who had previously been on loan from Al Ahly, on a permanent £4million deal earlier this week.
Olsson said: “He’s been excellent, from the first game. It’s always difficult when you come from abroad.
“I came from Holland, he came from Egypt, it’s different.
“You’re not used to the league, but I think from the first game he’s been excellent, and very consistent.
“It will get better for him too, he will keep on progressing.”
