Sweden captain Anna Signol in bad weather.
Her former assistant coach Maigo Rutsalainen is now highly critical of her.
Results seem to come before a person’s well-being, she says.
In 2017, Sweden’s Anna Signol took over as captain of the Finland national team. But just days before Finland’s European Championships premiere against Spain, she’s now living in stormy weather.
Svenskan får Stark kritik från Maiju Ruotsalainen, who was Signeul’s assistant coach until 2019 before leaving Valde, is now an expert at Finnish studio Yles EC.
– For me, it was about becoming a mother two years ago and my boss related to that in a certain way, they were disappointed with my decision, she says on the broadcast.
– I was told I could no longer be the coach I could have been without children, says Ruotsalainen who was fired as an AIK coach in May.
She is also critical of the Finnish Football Association.
Results seem to come first.
– I do not sign the values that seem to apply within the Federation. The results seem to come before a person’s well-being and this is something I can never accept.
Syndicate General Secretary Marco Casagrande commented on her statement to Ilta-Sanomat newspaper.
It is clear that motherhood is not an obstacle to a career within the Swedish Football Association. He says the union encourages motherhood and good fatherhood.
He also tells us that there is a conflict between Signeul and Ruotsalainen.
– Maigo contacted us about it and we took her opinions seriously. We investigated the problem and it was clear that mistrust had developed between them.
– It definitely took a while to get used to Anna’s level of requirements and style.