Sergio Almenara, the former assistant coach of the Orlando Pirates, has taken a significant leap in his coaching career by joining the Finland national team as a set-piece coach. This fresh chapter comes after Almenara parted ways with the Pirates at the end of the 2023/24 Betway Premiership season, citing challenges with family integration as a key reason for his departure.
The 44-year-old Spanish tactician entered the South African football scene in 2022, arriving alongside head coach Jose Riveiro at Orlando Pirates. Throughout his two-year tenure, Almenara was instrumental in the team’s success, helping secure two MTN8 trophies and two Nedbank Cup titles. However, after the club’s victory over Mamelodi Sundowns in the Nedbank Cup final in June 2024, Almenara decided it was time to move on to better the situation for his family. "I wanted to be closer to my family," Almenara explained regarding his departure from the Buccaneers.
In a surprising twist, Almenara returned to his former club, FC Inter Turku in Finland, in January 2025 as the Head of Scouting, having built a professional relationship with Riveiro since his days at Inter. However, after only three months at FC Turku, he accepted the role of set-piece coach for the Finnish senior men's team under head coach Markku Kanerva.
Almenara’s focus in his new role will be developing strategies around special situations in football, which he describes as an essential part of the game. "I didn’t have the same title in my previous clubs – I was an assistant coach responsible for special situations and other things. It’s just a title. We build the principles and structures of special situations together with the head coach and goalkeeper coach,” he emphasized. "This way we can be efficient and quick in implementing special situation-related matters.
Special situations often concern set-pieces, notably corner kicks and free kicks, which can be crucial during matches. "We are now focusing on attacking and defensive corner kicks and side free kicks, as they can harm both teams the most. We will also focus on side throws, kickoffs, and free kicks from different parts of the field," Almenara noted, highlighting the importance of these tactical components.
He further explained that the definition of special situations can vary among coaches. "Some coaches consider goal kicks special situations, while others may see it as a game-opening phase. It’s a bit of a grey area, and it depends on the coaching team." Almenara’s ability to adapt and collaborate with his coaching teammates will likely be vital in shaping the approach of the national squad.
This appointment is not just significant for Almenara, but also for Finnish football as the national team often relies on innovative strategies to compete effectively on the international stage. His international experience and insights gained from winning championships with the Pirates are expected to enrich the Finnish squad’s preparations.
As the Finland national team continues to build toward upcoming competitions, there is optimism about the impact Almenara will have in enhancing their set-piece strategies and overall tactical execution.
The pathway from South Africa back to Europe illustrates Almenara's commitment to professional growth and family priorities. His journey resonates with many in the sport, emphasizing the balance between career aspirations and personal well-being. Finland, under Almenara's tutelage, now stands poised to tackle upcoming challenges with renewed energy and strategic focus.
