John Guidetti regrets leaving Celta Vigo, career struggles followed

John Guidetti regrets his decision to leave Celta Vigo in 2018. According to Fotbollskanalen, John Guidetti described receiving a new contract offer from Celta Vigo, where he was loved by the president and supporters, but his wife was heavily pregnant and did not want to move. According to Fotbolltransfers, John Guidetti described being informed that the coach at Celta Vigo would be fired and advised to sign a new contract and wait, but he chose to leave to play in the World Cup.

After his permanent move to Alavés, Guidetti scored 2 goals and 1 assist in 24 competitive matches, but he often sat in the stands during his time there after the successful loan spell. He was then loaned to Hannover 96 in January 2019, where he scored 3 goals and 1 assist in 14 matches. Despite these club challenges, Guidetti was included in Sweden's squad for the 2018 World Cup and made two substitute appearances as Sweden reached the quarter-finals.

With hindsight, I know that I wasted my time abroad for the World Cup.
John Guidetti, Football player
He said this in an interview for the podcast Bollklubben, reflecting on his decision to leave Celta Vigo in 2018.Translated

According to Fotbollskanalen, John Guidetti described learning that players should never make club decisions for the national team, though the World Cup experience was pivotal for his love of the sport. The specific advice he received about the Celta Vigo coach's impending dismissal and the terms of the contract offer he declined remain unclear, as do the reasons for his performance decline at Alavés after the loan spell.

I ended up on the wrong side with the coach (at Celta Vigo) whom I knew would be fired. I had been informed about it. 'John, he will have to leave. Sit tight in the boat, sign a new contract - you will get to play'.
John Guidetti, Football player
He said this in an interview for the podcast Bollklubben, explaining the situation at Celta Vigo in 2018.Translated

But I wanted to play in the World Cup. Then I took what later became the worst decision I have made (to go to Alavés) even though I didn't really want to.
John Guidetti, Football player
He said this in an interview for the podcast Bollklubben, describing his motivation for leaving Celta Vigo.Translated

You should never make club decisions for the national team.
John Guidetti, Football player
He said this in an interview for the podcast Bollklubben, reflecting on his career choice.Translated

I was at Celta Vigo, enjoyed it a lot and got a new contract offer. I was loved by the president and the supporters. My wife was heavily pregnant and didn't want to move - but I wanted to play in the World Cup.
John Guidetti, Football player
He said this in an interview for the podcast Bollklubben, describing his situation in 2018.Translated

I have learned in hindsight that players are willing to make club decisions for the national team. You should never ever do that in my book, but that's how much it means to represent Sweden in a World Cup. You must not forget that.
John Guidetti, Football player
He said this in an interview for the podcast Bollklubben, sharing his reflections on his career move.Translated

It is often there (the World Cup) that you fall in love with the sport, at least I did.
John Guidetti, Football player
He said this in an interview for the podcast Bollklubben, concluding his thoughts on the World Cup experience.Translated