Danish national Flemming Serritslev believes he can take Fijian football to greater heights which, history has shown, is not an easy task.

The former Papua New Guinea men’s football coach arrived into the country yesterday to discuss the terms of his contract with the Fiji Football Association.

The 72-year-old was received by Fiji FA’s technical director Ravinesh Kumar, and will be holding meetings with the body’s executives today.

Serritslev said he was excited by the prospect of working with the Fiji team but wanted a few demands met before putting pen to paper.

“Nothing has been signed,” he said.

“I have to see the structure of Fiji Football (before making a decision).

“If I sign here I have to be fully aware of the structure and also my job to include the competition to make them benefit the players.”

One area the Danish coach wants to look at is player development.

It is an area his predecessor, Christophe Gamel, also wanted address but the Frenchman’s controversial spell in charge ended before he could make any significant changes.

Unlike Gamel, Serritslev has experience with player development in Denmark and also as head of the PNG national team.

He said: “Player development is something I have to discuss with Fiji FA but I am very interested in talent development which I did one for Denmark as well.”

“I love the region (Oceania) and this time I do have the advantage that I know about the region before I start here.

“When I joined PNG I knew absolutely nothing. Did not know about the players and in the two years, I have learnt about them. Coming to Fiji I have basic idea where to start.

“I will be visiting many clubs and watch as many league matches as possible. Coach needs to learn about the players and the players needs to know about the coach.”

Fiji Football Association technical director Ravinesh Kumar (left) welcomes coach Flemming Serritslev at the Nadi International Airport on January 26, 2020. Photo: Waisea Nasokia

Background

As manager Flemming Serritslev ensured Danish side B1909 a place in the best Danish league in 1990.

In 1992, he became assistant manager of the Danish national team before he went on to become head coach of the Danish U21 team.

In 2006 Serritslev returned to his childhood club Vejle as sports manager.

However, Serritslev and the new board at the club could not work together and Serritslev left Vejle Boldklub only six-month after his appointment.

On 1 July 2010, he was appointed as technical manager of Mes Kerman in Iran Pro League and also head coach of Mes B.

On 25 August 2011, after the resignation of Mes head coach Samad Marfavi, he was appointed as caretaker manager of club but was replaced with Miroslav Blažević without managing team in any match.

On November 23, 2015, he became new manager of the Papua New Guinea national football team.

On June 5, 2016, he guided Papua New Guinea to the semi-finals of the OFC Nations Cup for the first time.

Papua New Guinea beat Solomon Islands 2–1, losing in the final to New Zealand in a penalty shoot-out.

Edited by Sheldon Chanel

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