Mohr looks to avoid less for KÍ
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Article summary
With the resignation of coach Eydun Klakstein, a disappointing season for KÍ Klaksvík is going from bad to worse, and now the 16-time Faroese champions will hope that the return of Petur Mohr can restore their spirits.
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Relegation danger
With six games remaining, KÍ are just three points clear of the relegation places, and things may have to get worse before they get better. The next round of games seeing KÍ travel to face a B36 Tórhsavn side who are unbeaten at home all season, while the sides below them – B71 Sandøy and Skála Ítróttarfelag – meet on the same day. If KÍ lose, they could find themselves in the relegation zone.
Impressive record
Much may depend on what Mohr has to offer as he returns to the side he led between 1991 and 1993. The coach guided KÍ to title success in 1991 and his side remained unbeaten at home in the league throughout his three-year stint. Current KÍ players Jákup Mikkelsen and Harley Bertholdsen played under Mohr during his previous spell, and hopefully the spirit of past glories will revive them as they head into the final rounds of the season.
Final straw
Spirits hit rock bottom on 1 September as KÍ lost 1-0 against rock-bottom Skála, prompting Klakstein to throw in the towel. "I wish the team and the club all the best and I don't doubt that they will pull through and are on course for an exciting future," he said on his departure. The club in turn said they respected the coach's decision and wished him "all the best" in the future.
Grim season
Klakstein became KÍ coach last season, with Trygvi Mortensen acting as his assistant, following the dismissal of Englishman Tony Paris. Paris had returned to the club after leading them to a domestic double in 1999 but was unable to recreate the same magic in 2007, and was duly fired. However, his successors fared little better. The Faroes' second oldest club struggled from the start of the season, and have never escaped the spectre of relegation.
Late drama
KÍ have never been relegated before, although they came mighty close in 1988. Had a shot by their opponents in the final seconds of the last game of that campaign crept under the crossbar rather than rattling the woodwork, they would have been down. Mohr will hope to avoid a repeat of such drama over the coming weeks.