Jon Dahl Tomasson addressed his Rovers exit during his first press conference as Sweden manager.

Tomasson was appointed by the Swedish FA on Monday, less than a month after his Ewood Park tenure came to an end.

“I left Blackburn because it was a difficult situation,” he said. “Of course, they cut the budget. I signed up for a project which changed, that was the reason.”

Tomasson has plenty of experience of international football from his playing career, having captained Denmark. He also had a spell as assistant coach after hanging up his boots.

The 47-year-old is relishing the challenge ahead and wants his Sweden side to play on the front foot and entertain the fans.

“I was a player for Denmark for many years and a captain,” he added. “I have been around national teams for a long time as a player and an assistant coach at Denmark.

“It is special to be involved in national football, it makes you proud and it is an honour to be involved.

“There is not a lot of time to play games and train like club football, it is totally different. But you can start a new era and it is special, it is something I want to be part of.

“When I see this Swedish team, there are a lot of great players. I want to excite the fans, I stand for positive football.

“Everyone should get the feeling – ‘those boys, they are enjoying it’. They should enjoy playing 90 minutes with pace and that attitude.”

Tomasson becomes the first foreigner to manage the Swedish national team, although he did have success at Malmo.

“I think there will always be sceptics, that is part of life and part of football,” he continued.

“The great thing about football is there are a lot of different opinions – people don’t always need to agree.

“First of all, it is about the players and the fans trying to create something together so we can feel part of a new area and a new beginning.”

Sweden have a couple of friendlies against Portugal and Sweden later this month. They also take on Denmark and Serbia in June before the Nations League gets under way next season.