KV Kortrijk introduces coach Freyr Alexandersson: “I understand that they think I’m crazy for starting this, but I know better”

Third time’s the charm? Nope. Joseph Akpala coached KV Kortrijk in five official matches this season and, after Edward Still and Glen De Boeck, was already the third T1 for the Kerels this season. Still barely managed 2 out of 25 and got his C4 as expected, De Boeck said he did 400% better with 8 out of 24. But he also flew in the door and De Boeck also included the match against Cercle when he was still on the stands sat. Joseph Akpala was coach at the time, but the Nigerian could not repeat his stunt from the end of September and was moved to the backplane again after 0 out of 12.

Occurred in Denmark

Who does better and what kind of crazy person would even start this, every level-headed person thinks. Freyr Alexandersson, a 41-year-old Icelander, who coached the national women in his own country, was assistant to Arnar Vidarsson for the men and has trained the Danish Lyngby since 2021 and guided the team from a hopeless position to seventh place in Denmark. They now also expect such a stunt from him in Kortrijk.

Freyr Alexandersson. — © BELGIUM

No contact with Vidarsson

Alexandersson would also have been in the picture at Standard, but he did not want to confirm that during his presentation. “There has been quite a bit of interest in me for some time, but I prefer not to discuss the names of clubs. I am now at KV Kortrijk and I want to keep this club at the highest level. And believe me, that is certainly still possible. My work at Lingby was not finished and I don’t want to say that I was ready for something else, but this was a great opportunity for me and I felt I had to seize it. So I take a conscious risk and Kortrijk came at the right time. In his own country, Alexandersson assisted the well-known Arnar Vidarsson, but the current trainer of Jong Gent has nothing to do with the arrival of his compatriot.

“No, I have not contacted Arnar Vidarsson, with whom I have a good relationship. The contact had to remain discreet and it is better not to involve too many people. But I would like to have a coffee with Arnar soon and catch up with him. Just like with Brian Priske (ex-Antwerp, red.) of Jess Thorup (ex-Gent, red.) whom I also know well.”

Freyr Alexandersson. — © BELGIUM

At KV Kortrijk they were quickly convinced that Freyr Alexandersson was their right man. “We took our time,” said CEO Sports Pieter Eecloo. “We didn’t want to take any risks, but we were on the same page during the first conversation.”

The Malaysian owner Tan also had to give his approval and in Kortrijk he is not exactly known as a generous owner. But Tan also changed tack. “We are grateful that he was willing to make this deal possible,” said Eecloo. “I must also thank my ex-club Lingby for their full cooperation and giving me this opportunity,” Alexandersson added.”

Aerial cyclist or kamikaze?

But who will now leave a quiet mid-engine, which is seventh in Denmark, for the hopeless situation of the red lantern in Belgium? You quickly end up with the type of hopeless air cyclist or kamikaze, but you don’t get that image of the thoughtful Alexandersson. “I understand that the outside world thinks I’m crazy and that they have already written off KV Kortrijk with 10 out of 60. I respect their opinion, but I know better and also have more information,” replies the new KVK coach. “They also don’t know how I work and I was guaranteed that new players will come and I plan to get the most out of this group.”

Freyr Alexandersson during his performance. — © BELGIUM

Alexandersson met his staff later in the afternoon and also brought along a new assistant in Jonathan Hartmann. He will not meet his new group of players until Saturday. KV Kortrijk then flies to Spain for a five-day internship in Albir near Alicante. “We will lay the foundation there and familiarize the players with my vision and way of working,” said the Icelander. “What do I stand for as a trainer? It seems logical to me that as a coach of, for example, Club Brugge you choose attacking football, but here it is different. Organization is important, but in any case KV Kortrijk will play full of energy and dynamically, that will be the starting point.”

Previous Post

Back in the sad street? Chelsea coach Pochettino: “Still no idea when Roméo Lavia will be available again”

Next Post

And suddenly Georges Leekens is coaching young talents from a local football school: “My grandmother has told me a lot about him”

Related Posts