Swedish mens coaches Nilsson and Uusitalo leave National team
Mar 26, 2020·Cross-Country
As reported on the Skidor website on 25th of March, the two main coaches for the men's National team have decided to end their assignement with the Swedish Ski Federation.
Fredrik Uusitalo started as coach of the Cross-Country team development team in 2016. In the same year Mattias Nilsson was given the position of development coordinator at the Swedish Ski Association. After a year at the union, Uusitalo became the coach of the group, which later became Team Bauhaus. Nilsson then took over the coaching role for the development team.
After another year in the new service roles, they formedthe coaching team for the men's A-team 2018. There they have been until now.
For Mattias, especially the aspect of traveling many days a year and spending time away from home was a key aspect for his decision making: "The work as a national team coach is bringing a lot of potential for development and is fun in many ways, but it is also very intense and special. There is a lot that should be at work and at home. After two years traveling, it's time to be home more."
Both of them therefore choose to step down from their assignments as national team coach. Uusitalo is looking forward to a few months of parental leave.
"I am grateful for the time we got with the national team, but now I want to be home with my children over the summer and autumn. I look forward to it very much now,” says Uusitalo.
Nilsson and Uusitalo will retain their employment until April. What happens next for both of the coaches is not yet clear.
"The Swedish Ski Federation would like to thank Mattias and Fredrik, who have done a fantastic job in their roles as national team coaches. They have been very appreciated by both skiers and employees," says Daniel Fåhraeus, longitudinal manager.
The focus for Fåhraeus is now to appoint a new national team manager. Then the rest of the organization will be reviewed. In parallel with the recruitment work, an evaluation is made in which all skiers and leaders in the organization participate.
"My hope is that we can present a new national team manager in early April. Together with that person we will then put together upcoming season's organization and national team groups," Fåhraeus concludes.
