Former Orlando Pirates assistant Sergio Almenara has started a new role as Set-piece coach for the Finland national team.
Almenara, 44, joined the Sea Robbers alongside Jose Riveiro ahead of the 2022/23 and has been a crucial member of the Spaniard’s technical team that led Pirates to back-to-back MTN8 and Nedbank Cup titles.
However, in June he opted to leave the Buccaneers, citing the wish to stay closer to his family as main reason for his departure.
Almenara had worked alongside Riveiro since January 2019 – when Riveiro took over FC Inter, where they stayed until December 2021.
On Thursday, Almenara was unveiled in his new role as Finland Set-piece coach.
“I didn’t have the same title at my previous clubs – I was an assistant coach, responsible for special situations and other things. It’s just a title in the end,” he stated.
“We build the principles and structures for special situations together with the head coach and goalkeeping coach. This way we can be efficient and fast in implementing things related to special situations.
“We are now initially focusing on corner kicks and free-kicks from the attacking and defensive ends, because they can hurt both teams the most. We will also focus on throw-ins, kick-offs and free kicks from different sides of the field.
“Some coaches consider goal kicks as special situations, some may see it as an opening phase of the game. It is a bit of a grey area, and it depends on the coaching team.”
