"Ibrahimovic idolisation warranted Sweden captaincy"

Erik Hamren has revealed that Zlatan Ibrahimovic's idol status amongst the Sweden squad persuaded him to make the player captain of the national side.

Ibrahimovic retired from international football following Sweden's unsuccessful qualifying campaign for the 2010 World Cup, but Hamren managed to convince him to return to international duty and subsequently handed him the captain's armband.

Despite receiving some criticism for the decision at the time, the coach remains adamant it was a successful one. 

"I did that [made him captain] because I wanted him to take responsibility within the team – to be a real leader – and I must say that he's done that fantastically," Hamren told FIFA.com.

"Everything I wanted him to bring as captain he has brought. You have to remember that half of my squad have grown up idolising Zlatan and, for me as a coach, that's brought a special challenge to make sure that relationship is beneficial.

"But he has been superb with those younger players. I couldn't have asked for more from him."

Hamren is set to step down as Sweden's head coach after the tournament this summer, but he does not expect Zlatan to walk away as well.

"Physically, I don't think there's any doubt that he can play on for many years and make a big contribution to the team," he added.

"But the mental question, whether he's motivated for another campaign after playing for so long, will be the big one for him to answer after the Euro. And it's only Zlatan who will be able to answer that."