Backe to lead Finland after Kanerva caretaker spell

Well-travelled Swedish trainer Hans Backe will take over as Finland coach at the start of next year, with former assistant Markku Kanerva leading the team as caretaker for the rest of 2015 following Mixu Paatelainen's departure.

Paatelainen's contract was terminated by the Football Association of Finland (SPL-FBF) in June after the 1-0 home loss to Hungary that left them second from bottom of UEFA EURO 2016 qualifying Group F. Kanerva has stepped up to take charge for the remaining qualifiers in September and October, aided by former international players Jonatan Johansson and Mika Nurmela along with goalkeeping coach Antti Niemi.

Backe, 63, will then be the permanent appointment in time for 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying, which Finland begin on 6 October 2016 in Iceland, with Croatia, Turkey and Ukraine also in Group I. Backe's coaching career started in his native Sweden with Djurgården in 1982 and has included spells in Norway, Denmark, Austria, Greece, England, the United States and also Mexico, where he was assistant national coach to Sven-Göran Eriksson having also worked with him at Manchester City.

"All the qualifying groups are tough, but in Finland's group every team can take points from each other," Backe said. "I think it is a good thing for Finland – and the team will certainly also be underestimated and we can make use of that."