The new head coach of the 'Šiauliai' club is former Latvian national team specialist D. Kazakevičs.

2024-12-13 11:12 © Bongo Co

The football academy "Šiauliai" has introduced a new head coach for the team – the reins of the Šiauliai team will be taken over in the upcoming season by the former coach of the national men's team of Latvia, Dainis Kazakevičs.

D. Kazakevičs, who ended his professional football career early, began his coaching journey back in 2001 when he made his debut as the head coach of the main team of "Viola." Later, after the merger of the "Viola" and "RAF Jelgava" clubs and the formation of a new club "Jelgava," the head coach remained the same and continued his work until 2012. He led the team to triumph in the Latvian first league in 2009 and lifted the Latvian Football Cup in 2010.

After his time with the Jelgava city team, the strategist was entrusted with the position of head coach of the Latvian U21 men's national team, which he held for a total of seven years, and later the specialist received perhaps the most significant recognition of his career – he coached the national men's team of Latvia from 2020 to 2023.

The new head of the "Šiauliai" team is delighted to have joined the team from the City of the Sun and is eager to start a new chapter in his coaching career.

"First of all, I would like to sincerely thank you for the trust placed in me. I am very serious about getting to work and I am pleased that serious goals have been set for the upcoming season. I believe that Šiauliai is a football city with a club that has a clear philosophy. Personally, I really like the idea of supporting local players, so I am fully committed to maintaining the identity of Lithuania in the team."

Dainis Kazakevičs, who holds both Latvian and Lithuanian passports, has invited his fellow countryman and assistant Jurgis Pučinskas, who also has Lithuanian roots, to join the coaching staff for the upcoming season, with whom he previously worked in the national team of Latvia.

"On Thursday, we had an introductory training session with the young team. I wanted to see everyone, get acquainted, and show my trust in each of them. We are fully prepared to support and develop young players because there are already really great footballers who can play at the highest division in the country. We will work hard and try to get the maximum out of the upcoming season," said the Latvian after the first training session.

The main team of the City of Šiauliai will start their preparations for the upcoming season on January 6.