ANNA SIGNEUL admits she was pulled in opposite directions for two months as she weighed up an offer to become the Finland head coach.
“I was approached by Finland at the end of October,” the Scotland head coach said. “I was very flattered, but when I told Stewart Regan I said my initial reaction was I wasn't interested.
“I've had a lot of offers over the years, but I couldn't see myself working and living anywhere other than Scotland.”
Nevertheless, the Swede travelled to Finland during the festive break and agreed terms shortly after New Year. The deciding factor was that her duties will be with the Finnish national team only – in Scotland she is heavily involved in all aspects of elite performance.
That is certain to have taken its toll over a period of 12 years, but having guided Scotland to a first major championship, Signeul admits she will leave after Euro 2017 with very mixed feelings.
“I have worked so hard to achieve things on all levels, not just the Euros,” she confirmed. “I can already see that the wheel is starting to spin a bit faster.
“By that I mean more sponsors, more interest, more media, more money, more opportunities for players. Qualifying for the Euros has created that, and in a way it's sad that I can't be a part of that success.”
The news that Signeul will be moving on was announced by the Scottish FA yesterday morning, but was revealed to the players and backroom staff in their Ayia Napa hotel on Monday night. Scotland have friendlies lined up against Denmark in Cyprus on Friday and Monday.
“When I told some of the backroom staff first I was crying,” Signeul admitted. “I almost broke with the players as well, but I was fine.
“The Finland job is a good one but I've made it clear to them I cannot spend a single minute thinking about it before the Euros are over.”
New performance director Malky Mackay will have the job of finding Signeul's successor and among those certain to be linked to the job is former Scotland captain and under-19 coach Shelley Kerr. She is head coach at Lowland League side Stirling University, having made history by becoming the first female head coach of a British men's senior club.
Another possible is Tom Sermanni, a former Albion Rovers and Dunfermline player who has been head coach of the Australian and United States women's national sides.
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