NEW Scotland performance director Malky Mackay will start the search for Anna Signeul’s successor following yesterday’s dramatic announcement that the Swede will become Finland’s new head coach after Euro 2017, writes Alan Campbell.
Whoever gets the job will be inheriting the fruits of Signeul’s labours over 12 years. She has been deeply involved in all aspects of elite development since replacing Vera Pauw as head coach in 2005.
It has been a highly demanding, and at times exhausting, job. It took Signeul more than two months of agonising before she decided to accept the Finland post, where her duties will be restricted to the national side and its players only.
The Scots are in Cyprus for a double-header of friendlies against Denmark, and Signeul broke the news privately to her players and backroom staff shortly after they arrived at their Ayia Napa hotel late on Monday. She admitted it had been a difficult task.
“When I told some of the backroom staff first I was crying,” she admitted. “I almost broke with the players as well, but I was fine.”
While moving to a less demanding job nearer her native Sweden, Signeul said she is well aware that she will be leaving Scotland just at the time when women’s football is about to get a massive boost from finally reaching a major championship finals.
“I have worked so hard to achieve things on all levels, not just the Euros. I can already see that the wheel is starting to spin a bit faster.
“By that I mean more sponsors, more interest, more media, more money, more opportunities for players. Qualifying for the Euros has created that, and in a way it’s sad that I can’t be a part of that success.
“I’ve had a lot of offers over the years, but I always felt I couldn’t leave the clubs and the players.
“The Finland job is a good one, but I’ve made it clear to them I cannot spend a single minute thinking about it before the Euros are over. My full focus is on the Scotland players for the next six months. Scotland and its people will always have a very special place in my heart.”
The speculation will now be about who will replace Signeul. Her assistant, Ann-Helen Grahm will stand down after the Euros.
Among those certain to be linked Signeul’s job is former Scotland captain and U19 coach Shelley Kerr. She is head coach at Lowland League side Stirling University. Another possible candidate is Tom Sermanni, a former Albion Rovers and Dunfermline player who has been head coach of the Australian and US women’s national sides. He is now head coach of Orlando Pride, in America’s top league.
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