Sheffield United: Anel Ahmedhodzic on Sarajevo, Sweden, the Steel City and the moment he knew he'd "get hate"

His family is used to making tough decisions. After all, they lived through the Siege Of Sarajevo which remains the most prolonged blockade in the history of modern warfare.
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But as he discusses heritage, identity, patriotism and of course football, it becomes clear nothing could prepare Anel Ahmehodzic for the sense of angst he felt when the moment came to decide who he really was.

“It was probably the most difficult choice I have ever made in my life,” the Sheffield United defender tells The Star, remembering the drama which surrounded his switch of international allegiance from Sweden to Bosnia and Herzegovina, his ancestral and spiritual home. “I knew I was going to get hate whatever I did. It took a lot of time to think about and there were other things going on in the background that I can’t really share. It was hard. Really hard. Harder than you can imagine but in the end I made up my mind.”

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Listening to Ahmedhodzic speak, about his parents’ reasons for leaving the Balkans following the bloody conflict which broke out in the region during the Nineties, one begins to understand why it was such a gut-wrenching call. Born in Malmo and grateful for the chances the Scandinavian nation had given him, particularly after returning following three years with Nottingham Forest at the beginning of his career, the centre-half nevertheless spent his childhood being reminded of the sacrifices the Bosnians made as they battled for independence following the break-up of Yugoslavia.

“I used to get taken back all the time, from when I was one, because all our relatives are still there,” continues Ahmedhodzic, who was capped by Sweden at youth and senior level before winning his first for Zlatni Ijiljani (The Golden Lillies) two summers ago. “But there were so many reasons why I made the switch and the main one was my feeling to Bosnia, out of respect to my parents and my country.

“My parents were in the war and afterwards the moved to Sweden to get better opportunities. Sarajevo is great, it is beautiful but there are problems and sometimes not as many of those for people as there should be. I had great opportunities in Sweden and I am so grateful to the country. Really, it is one of the best in the world. I will always stand for it and never agree with anyone who has bad things to say about it. Never. But because my mum and dad are also so proud about Bosnia, I felt I had to give something back. The feeling when I played my first game, when I heart the song (anthem) I got goosebumps. My dad, he usually criticises my performances a lot. But after that match, he was very, very quiet.”

Sheffield United manager Paul Heckingbottom takes his team to Cardiff City next: Darren Staples / SportimageSheffield United manager Paul Heckingbottom takes his team to Cardiff City next: Darren Staples / Sportimage
Sheffield United manager Paul Heckingbottom takes his team to Cardiff City next: Darren Staples / Sportimage

Ahmedhodzic, now aged 23, joined United in a £3m deal from Malmo during the close season. Having initially enrolled on Di Blae’s youth programme, he moved to Nottingham Forest, where he first encountered Bramall Lane’s head of player development Jack Lester, before returning to the Eleda Stadion where he won two Allsvenskan titles and competed in the Champions League.

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A swashbuckling defender perfectly suited to United’s all action style, Ahmedhodzic has quickly become a crowd favourite among supporters of his new club, who face Cardiff City this weekend in third.

“I was always a bit of a frustrated forward so here, when I saw how we play, I knew it would suit me,” he laughs. “When I was at Malmo my coach, Jon Dahl (Tomasson) who is now at Blackburn Rovers, used to shout at me ‘get back’ if we played with a three and I went up the pitch.

Anel Ahmedhodzic (centre) is loving life with Sheffield United: Simon Bellis / SportimageAnel Ahmedhodzic (centre) is loving life with Sheffield United: Simon Bellis / Sportimage
Anel Ahmedhodzic (centre) is loving life with Sheffield United: Simon Bellis / Sportimage

“I think it’s something to do with my culture because, you see, there are two different types of player in Bosnia: Aggressive ones and quieter ones. I try to be a bit of both.”

As well as being attracted by United’s style, Ahmedhodzic also admits he had “unfinished business” in England following his spell at the City Ground.

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“Going to Forest shaped me as a player and as a professional. You have to work so hard and I remember how Jack and Gary Brazil, the people I spent a lot of time with, pushed me so much. It was good to Jack again when I came here.

“England, for me, is the perfect country for football. It is the home of football.”

Sarajevo, where Anel Ahmedhodzic's family are from, was badly affected during the Balkans WarSarajevo, where Anel Ahmedhodzic's family are from, was badly affected during the Balkans War
Sarajevo, where Anel Ahmedhodzic's family are from, was badly affected during the Balkans War

Inevitably, given that it gave birth to the modern game, Sheffield has quickly made an impression on Ahmedhodzic and his wife Marijana too.

“It’s a very good city, very football centric and I like that because for me, football is home. My only complaint is the traffic in a morning. I don’t go out too much. I stay in and watch television with the missus. But I already like it here a lot.”

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Former United loanee and fellow Bosnian Mo Besic, now of Ferencvaros, gave Ahmedhodzic the lowdown on the area while his move was being discussed.

“We were at an international game together and we spoke a bit. He said it was a good place. That was in June, when we were talking.”

Anel Ahmedhodzic's swashbuckling style has made him a big hit with the Sheffield United fans: Andrew Yates / SportimageAnel Ahmedhodzic's swashbuckling style has made him a big hit with the Sheffield United fans: Andrew Yates / Sportimage
Anel Ahmedhodzic's swashbuckling style has made him a big hit with the Sheffield United fans: Andrew Yates / Sportimage

Proud, passionate and a self-confessed football junkie, little wonder Ahmedhodzic, who played Champions League football during his time at Malmo, says joining United and moving to the area is “the best decision” he has made since turning professional.

“I told my agents that I wanted a stable club that really wants me for me. Even when we’ve lost, we’ve not had any negative vibes and that's good because it is not the same everywhere else. We have a winners mentality here. Most clubs have at least one ego player, but I have not found one here. It’s football and team first from everyone.”

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