Coach joins Finland national team after shock Orlando Pirates exit following MTN8 and Nedbank Cups success with the Soweto giants

Former Orlando Pirates assistant coach Sergio Almenara has landed a new role with the Finland national men's football team.

Finland announced the arrival of Almenara and specified that the 44-year-old will be the set-piece coach.

"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 after all. We build principles and structures for special situations together with the head coach and goalkeeper coach," Almenara said.

"This way we can be efficient and fast in implementing things related to special situations."

“Special situations are often understood to mean mainly corner kicks and free kicks, but in practice, all ‘dead ball’ situations, where the ball is returned to play, fall under this term. The special situation coach has plenty of work to do," he added.

"We will also focus on sideline throws, kickoffs, and free kicks on different sides of the field. Some coaches see goal kicks as special situations; some may see them as the opening phase of the game. It's a bit of a gray area and depends on the coaching staff," the Spaniard concluded.

Alemara joined Pirates alongside Jose Riveiro before the 2022/23 Premier Soccer League season started.

He played a crucial role as the Sea Robbers won back-to-back MTN8 and Nedbank Cup titles.

Despite a rather successful stint with the Bucs, Almenara parted ways with the Soweto giants at the end of the 2023/24 season by mutual consent.

His decision to leave shocked Pirates fans, especially because it came just after Bucs defeated Mamelodi Sundowns in the Nedbank Cup final in June 2024.

After his rather successful time with Pirates, Almenara has been handed a chance to prove his credentials at another level, now taking charge of Finland's national team players.