Pehrsson Named Coach of National Football Team
The Estonian Football Association has named 37-year-old Magnus Pehrsson as the new head coach of the national team.
Pehrsson, who hails from Sweden, is expected to lead Estonia through the next qualification tournament for the European Championships, having been handed a two-year contract, the association announced today.
Pehrsson said he is proud of the opportunity, adding that though he is young, he has been in the football business for 20 years, playing as a professional before moving into management.
He began his management career in 2006 with Swedish team IK Sirius and has headed a number of Danish and Swedish top league teams since, guiding Aalborg BK to the last 16 in the UEFA Cup.
Association President Aivar Pohlak said that his organization had mapped the weaknesses and strengths of the national team before looking for a suitable coach to take the next step.
Tarmo Rüütli, who successfully led Estonia to the EURO 2012 playoffs, was not offered a new contract by the association.
Rüütli guided the team through 91 games, winning 28 and drawing 19.