Ari Lahti, president of the Swedish Football Association, is not satisfied with Huuhkajie’s results in the Nations League.
The fall of the Finnish men’s national football team in the Nations League ended with a 0–2 loss against Greece at the Helsinki Olympic Stadium on Sunday.
The six-match losing streak and relegation to the C-League of the Nations League have increased the criticism of the head coach Markku Kanervaa towards. President of the Football Association Ari Lahti says that Kanerva’s position will be discussed on Friday, November 22 at the board meeting.
The Finnish Football Federation has previously emphasized that the main goal is next year’s World Cup qualifiers. However, according to Lahti, the results seen in the Nations League have been disappointing.
– The results are not satisfactory. We now have to analyze this and draw conclusions based on it, Lahti tells Urheilu.
According to Lahti, there will be a discussion about the coach question and an analysis will be done this week. According to him, the board has not discussed the coaching situation since last spring.
– We will analyze where we are at the moment and whether we are satisfied with it to the extent that we will then find a further opportunity with Markku Kanerva or what we will do. We will have that discussion on Friday and make decisions.
Do you personally still have credit for Markku Kanerva?
– Well, at the moment, of course. As long as he is the head coach, of course I am behind him, but as said, these things will be reviewed after the analyzes are done.
Huhukajat has received criticism from many directions and the fans seem impatient. Has there been some kind of pressure on the decisions externally as well?
– Yes, the feedback here has clearly come to our attention, and the message has definitely reached everyone. Both for myself and others in Pallloliito around the issue.
– Of course, we are affected by how the stakeholders, including the fans, feel about the Balloliitto. These things matter and are taken into account in decision-making.
Lahti also received criticism
From the supporters’ end, not only Kanerva but also Lahti’s position erupted. Lahti says that the message was received and understood.
– I understand the frustration, where these Huuhkajie performances in the fall have led to, says Lahti.
However, the chairman reminds that the Balloliitto is a broader issue than Huuhkajat. He highlights, among other things, the record numbers in both amateurs and trained coaches.
In addition, Lahti cheers for the under-21 national team, which will play for the final tournament place on Tuesday. Helmarit, on the other hand, is one pair of matches away from a European Championship place.
– The whole is not so dark. You always have to keep it in mind that now one part of our palette is a little toddler. Let’s hope that people will still remember what entity our person is responsible for as chairman of the board.