Helmarie’s head coach Anna Signeul receives strong criticism for her coaching practices.
The Swedish head coach of the women’s national football team Anna Signeulin coaching methods have been a topic of conversation since his former assistant coach Maiju Rootsalainen told about the treatment caused by her motherhood in Yle’s competition broadcast.
Helsingin Sanomat according to two anonymous sources reached, other people have also suffered from Signeul’s behavior. Among other things, the head coach has wanted to control the work of all his assistant coaches minutely and has often lost his temper.
Anna Signeuli is buzzing around in the midst of the European Championships. José Breton
– It was putting out fires. One had to prepare for the fact that any question could come up, and then there could be a red-headed cry about why something hasn’t been done, when it wasn’t even known that it was expected, one of the sources said.
Among other things, Signeul reportedly forbade speaking anything other than English or Swedish in his presence. In addition, he had supervised his assistant coaches to work late into the night.
– I think it was an abuse of power. Only he got to say when the coaching staff could go to sleep, another source opened up to HS.
– I think the right word is inhumane, the source described Signeul’s coaching style.
The Swedish Football Association’s position
President of the Football Association Ari Lahti told Helsingin Sanomat that in addition to Ruotsalainen, another person had complained about Signeuli to the union management.
Lahti commented on Ruotslainen’s case to Iltalehti last week.
– When talking about elite sports, the result is of great importance – but not at any cost.
– Of course, something like motherhood comes before the result, as well as, for example, honesty, humanity and respect for human rights, Lahti said.
He was totally surprised by Maiju Ruotsalain’s claims.
– I don’t understand these arguments at all. I find such accusations quite strong, Lahti commented to Iltalehte.
61-year-old Signeul has been coaching the Helmarei since 2017.