Helsingborg appoint home-town hero Larsson
Monday, November 10, 2014
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"It's a step in the right direction," said Henrik Larsson after being appointed as coach of his home-town club Helsingborgs IF, where he started and ended his playing career.
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Helsingborgs IF unveiled Henrik Larsson, arguably the greatest player in the club's history, as their new coach on Monday. "I felt no hesitation when they asked me," said Larsson, who had earlier stepped down from his role at Falkenbergs FF.
It was a day of speculation in south-west Sweden which began with the news that Larsson would not remain at Falkenberg for the 2015 campaign. He had guided the Allsvenskan debutants to a 13th-placed finish, four points clear of the relegation places that many pundits had tipped them for.
It was not long before further rumours started to surface, with 'Henke' set for the dugout of a "foreign club" according to one sourse. However, Helsingborg hastily organised a press conference in the afternoon which promised to announce "changes to the organisation". It looked certain that Larsson would return to the town where he was born and still resides.
Any lingering doubts were laid to rest in the early evening, as Larsson sat in Olympia's press room, next to previous incumbent Roar Hansen, who has now switched to a role developing the club's football strategy. "It's a step in the right direction for my football career," said Larsson. "I had no doubts when they asked me."
Larsson's playing career – which included a UEFA Champions League triumph with FC Barcelona in 2006 – was bookended by spells at Helsingborg, where he played from 1992 to 1993 and 2006 to 2009. He has signed a three-year contract which encompasses an unusual compromise that means he will not completely relinquish his duties at Falkenberg, 120km from Helsingborg. "I've been allowed to continue coaching there in the mornings and then to work here in the afternoon," he said.
One of his new players will be particularly familiar. Jordan Larsson, Henrik's 17-year-old son, made nine first-team appearances for HIF last term. "We've discussed it at home, how it's important to make clear the difference between my role as Jordan's dad and as his coach," said Larsson Sr. "Everything that happens here needs to be for the good of HIF."