Djurgården's Coach Seeks Specialist to Boost Set-Piece Success

Most corner goals at the previous club. But still none at Djurgården. Now the head coach wants a specialist coach – and an analyst. – When Bosse is weak, I will bring it up, says Jani Honkavaara.

Last year, Djurgården's head coach Jani Honkavaara won the Finnish league with Kups. One of the team's strengths was their ability to score from set pieces, particularly corner goals.

The club scored eight goals from corners, the most in the league alongside fourth-placed SJK.

– One year, I think we even scored 16 goals from set pieces, says Jani Honkavaara.

But at Djurgården, it has been significantly tougher.

Zero Goals in 69 Attempts

During the spring, Djurgården has not scored a single corner goal in 69 attempts, which is the worst in the Allsvenskan.

– It's easiest when you have a stable starting eleven. Since the start of the season, we've rotated a lot, so each time it's different players. I hope this changes now that we have returning injured players, says the coach, referring to the returning injured players.

Another reason is that Djurgården does not have a coach who focuses solely on set pieces.

– When I came here, I took greater responsibility for set pieces because we don't have a coach who focuses solely on that. Normally, I've worked with good such coaches in Finland.

Desires a Specialist Coach

Do you wish you had such a coach here at Djurgården?

– Yes, I would love that. Nowadays, football teams have specialists.

Have you brought it up with Bosse?

– I've asked for an analyst, but not a coach for set pieces. It's an analyst I would prefer because we currently do the analysis ourselves.

What did Bosse say about you wanting an analyst?

– I don't remember when it was, and we haven't talked about it since. I'm waiting for an opportunity to bring it up. We need some wins first, and when we have good momentum and he's weak, I'll bring it up, says Honkavaara with a laugh.

– It's something we might need in the future.

Anger from Bosse Andersson

Jani Honkavaara explains that Bosse Andersson became angry after reading in the media that the coach wants an analyst.

– He got very angry with me. I said it in the media, and I understand why he got angry. Because we talked about it a long time ago, in the spring. We haven't talked about it since. It was unfair on my part, I should have told him.

He elaborates on why Bosse Andersson was upset.

– I was just joking a bit about it. He read about it in the media. It's my fault because he had to read it in the interview. I would be angry if I read something like that in the media. We talked about it today. But it's something we're missing, and in the long term, we might bring it in.