KR committed to challenge

By Stefán Stefánsson

KR Reykjavík have shown a desire to reclaim their dominance in Iceland, appointing a new coach and making a high-profile signing during the close season.

Jacobsen signs
The capital club, champions in 2002 and 2003, finished sixth in the 2004 campaign - 15 points behind newly crowned FH Hafnarfjördur. However, KR have now signed Faroe Islands midfielder Rógvi Jacobsen, 25, on a two-year contract, fresh from his goalscoring exploits in his country's 2-2 draw in Cyprus in a FIFA World Cup qualifier.

Gylfason opportunity
More significantly, Magnús Gylfason has agreed a three-year deal to coach KR, after leaving ÍBV Vestmannaeyjar where had spent two seasons. Gylfason replaces Willum Thór Thórsson, who has taken charge of promoted Valur Reykjavík.

Jankovic moving
In fact, Icelandic Cup winners Keflavík are the only top-flight team yet to sign up a coach for 2005 after Milan Stefan Jankovic decided he did not want to stay. Jankovic is moving back to Grindavík, where he will either be head coach or assistant to ex-Iceland boss Gudjón Thórdarson, who is still considering offers from abroad.

Familiar faces
Unsurprisingly, title-holders Hafnarfjördur have extended the contracts of their man at the helm, Ólafur Jóhannesson, and his assistant, Leifur Sigfinnur Gardarson. Indeed, the club have managed to secure the services of virtually their entire championship-winning squad with Danish duo Tommy Nielsen and Allen Borgvardt among those remaining.

Youth chance
With the departure of Gylfason to KR, ÍBV have given a chance to 32-year-old Gudlaugur Baldursson, who has been a youth trainer at Hafnarfjördur for the past eleven seasons. Baldursson has a two-year deal. "This came up suddenly but I decided to go for it," he said. "It was an opportunity I could not refuse."

Top scorer
The Football Association of Iceland will honour striker Gunnar Heidar Thorvaldsson after he finished as the league's top scorer with 12 goals in 16 matches for ÍBV before joining Swedish side Halmstads BK in August.

All change
Elsewhere, ÍA Akranes have extended Ólafur Thórdarson's stay by two years; Fylkir have given Thorlákur Árnason their full backing; and promoted Thróttur Reykjavík have rewarded Ásgeir Elíasson with a fresh two-year deal. Finally, Ólafur Kristjánsson has been appointed coach by Fram Reykjavík after saving the club from relegation while acting on a temporary basis.