Throughout history, there have not been many Finnish head coaches on international football fields. And especially not when we are talking about the biggest series in the world.
In Åland With Caroline Sjöblom, 34, has such experience. Few in Finland have heard of him or know that Sjöblom coached the Kansas City Current in one of the best leagues in women’s soccer, the American NWSL, in the season that ended.
Sjöblom had previously coached the juniors of AIK in Sweden, Tyresö of the second league level and the Swedish under-20 national team. Suddenly, he found himself in charge of Kansas, whose resources are out of this world.
Last year, the club opened an 18 million dollar training center. Next year, a new stadium with 11,500 spectators will open, the price of which is estimated at 117 million dollars.
– Every morning started with a luxury breakfast. Everything was taken care of. For example, I never had to put practice cones on the field myself. I had close to 30 people working around the players, Sjöblom says in an interview with Sporten.
As in the big football countries of Europe, women’s football is also heavily invested in the United States. Current is co-owned by, for example, a superstar of the American football NFL league Patrick Mahomeswho is one of the most famous athletes in the whole country.
– Rich people have a great interest in football. They come from other fields and want a margin for their investments. Women’s soccer and basketball are hot right now in the United States. For example, Angel City’s team in the NWSL is already worth 200 million dollars, Sjöblom opens.
– If the owner wants to bring his club into the series, the conditions must be created. Just like in the top European men’s leagues, 3-4 courts and an academy are needed here.
Sjöblom admits that the clubs’ investments were also reflected in the amount of his own salary.
– Everyday life becomes easier, and I can save money in a completely different way than before.
The season ended in disappointment
The head coach suddenly opened up for the Finn. Sjöblom moved to Kansas initially as an assistant coach, but the head coach Matt Potter I was dismissed for inappropriate behavior after only three matches.
Sjöblom found out about the head coach’s resignation just hours before the Cup match.
– The NWSL is a really cool league to coach. There’s a lot of pressure around everything.
Sjöblom’s start as head coach was perfect, as the first three matches produced three wins. In the end, however, the team was left out of the playoffs. The series ranking was second to last.
In an even series, a couple more wins could have brought a place in the playoffs. Sjöblom is satisfied with the whole.
– Of course we wanted to be higher, but when I started we had 15 injured players and we had trouble getting enough quality players on the field. We recruited newcomers from the university teams who had to take a lot of responsibility on the field, Sjöblom says.
There was a little too much speed at work. Sjöblom already agreed well in the summer with the club that he will not continue as head coach next season.
– I felt early on that the club is a bit too chaotic. The club must create a foundation to lean on. Everything was moving too fast now. I am always careful about creating a culture in the club and knowing in which direction we are going. You can’t buy success, you have to build it calmly.
Sjöblom’s successor was a famous person who coached the US national team in the summer World Cup Vlatko Andonovski.
What next?
Sjöblom is currently on vacation in the United States. He says that there are offers on the table from both Europe and the United States.
– For me, it’s about the right kind of environment, whether it’s a club or a national team. Everything has to feel right, says Sjöblom.
Sjöblom has made a name for himself and of course coaching a club team in Finland is no longer an issue. But would you be interested in a coaching job in Helmarei?
– Absolutely. Good things are happening in Finland regarding young players. The most important thing for me is that the investment in football is holistic, and the goal is not just to win matches and get to the European Championships. The vision of the future must be clear in order for the coaching position of the national team to be interesting to me.
Caroline Sjöblom was interviewed by Walter Kronqvist.