Sankala steps down at Umeå

Umeå IK coach Mika Sankala has announced his departure in the week he led them into the UEFA Women's Champions League quarter-finals.

Travel burden
A 1-1 draw at home to WFC Rossiyanka took the Swedish side through to next Friday's draw 2-1 on aggregate but Sanaka, who turns 45 on Monday, will not be in charge when the competition resumes on 10 March. Sankala, appointed to replace Andreé Jeglertz at the two-time European champions at the start of the year, was previously with men's side GIF Sundsvall and with his family remaining in that city, 270km south of Umea, he has found the travelling a burden.

European return
Sankala took over a side that had not lost only their coach but also star forward Marta and captain Frida Östberg, but although they exited last season's UEFA Women's Cup in the semi-finals and Linköpings FC ended their four-year reign as Swedish titleholders, their second place in 2009 ensured a return to Europe in 2010/11 regardless of if they win the current UEFA Women's Champions League. "Together we've shown that UIK belongs at the top of Europe," Sankala said. "I would like to thank all players and staff for this year and I wish Umeå IK the best of luck for next year."