Blomqvist takes up Umeå reins

UEFA Women's Champions League quarter-finalists Umeå IK have appointed 29-year-old Joakim Blomqvist as their new coach in succession to Mika Sankala.

City switch
Blomqvist, a former Swedish youth international, moves over from his role as assistant coach of the city's third-tier men's club Umeå FC, where he played before retiring due to illness, though he later returned to become player-coach of Tavelsjö IK. A psychologist, he replaces Sankala, who has stepped down for personal reasons after a year in charge.

Montpellier tie
The younger brother of ex-Manchester United FC player Jesper Blomqvist, who coincidentally became assistant coach of Hammarby on Tuesday, the new Umeå chief takes over a side preparing to face Montpellier Hérault SC in the UEFA Women's Champions League quarter-finals on 10 and 17 March. Bidding for a third European title, Umeå are already assured of a 2010/11 berth after finishing second in Sweden this season.

'An honour'
"It's an inspiration and an honour to get the chance to coach Umeå IK," Blomqvist told the club's official website. "My ambition is for Umeå IK to remain one of the best club teams in the world. To remain among the best you have to evolve constantly. One way of doing that is to develop each player's skills as a footballer and also the unique effort we will be putting in at Umeå IK to strengthen the players' mentally." He has already had a boost with Anna Paulson, Elin Landström, Emmelie Konradsson, Emma Berglund, Emma Kullberg and Sofia Jakobsson all agreeing new deals, while Hanna Pettersson has been signed from Stattena IF.