Elena Sadiku wrapped up her first day leading the Ghirls, ushering in a new chapter in the history of the Celtic FC Women’s team.
Despite being only thirty years old, the Swedish coach has a wealth of global coaching experience when he comes in Glasgow.
Elena Sadiku, who has coached alongside well-known figures in the women’s game in China, Denmark, and Sweden, has made history as the first female head coach of the Celtics.
The Celtic head coach expressed her happiness at starting her new job in her first exclusive interview with Celtic TV.
“It feels amazing to have taken on the role of Head Coach for the Women’s Team,” she remarked. Though I’m overwhelmed by all that has occurred thus far, I’m mostly thrilled to be joining this enormously fantastic club.
Having coached for more than seven years, Sadiku brings fresh, innovative ideas to lead the team to success.
Even though the 30-year-old started her coaching career so young, she still has a stellar playing resume from her days as a professional in her native country.
Sadly, Sadiku’s playing career was cut short by an injury that required 13 surgeries to try to fix her knee.
Even while she was disappointed not to be able to play at the top level for longer, it gave the new Celtic manager the opportunity to try her hand at coaching, and she thinks her playing career will help her in the dugout.
She clarified, “Where I came from, I played for some very big clubs in Sweden.” “So I began with Malmo, a very large Swedish club.
After that, I relocated to Rosengard, a storied Swedish team that has been successful throughout Europe.
“I come from a mindset where winning titles and games by giving it your all every day is who I am.”
“I believe that the dream and mindset remain the same when transitioning from being a player to a coach. In addition, I have a strong desire to see players succeed, and I work hard to encourage and mentor them as they create the conditions necessary for success.
“Undoubtedly, dealing with my injuries has not been easy for me. It’s not easy, really, to have 13 surgeries on one knee.
However, it has shaped who I am, and I believe that’s why I have a deeper understanding of players than, say, other coaches who aren’t players or don’t come from the same background as me.
“So I believe that being able to understand players is a positive attribute for me as a coach.”
A few weeks after retiring, the former Swedish young international joined the Academy of her old club, Hammarby, marking her first foray into coaching.
That was the beginning of an exciting path that has brought him to Glasgow and featured further Academy and senior coaching positions throughout the world.
Additionally, Sadiku has coached with a number of well-known figures in European football, most notably during a tenure as Jonas Eidevall’s assistant manager at Arsenal Women.
The Celtics head coach is still appreciative of her time spent working in places like China and Denmark, which shaped her into the coach she is now.
“It was a huge stride since it was the first time I realized what a coach needed to do when I was hired as head coach at the Rosengard Academy.
In that sense, it was overwhelming, and I developed a greater regard for my previous instructors since I didn’t realize there was so much to consider.
“But then, undoubtedly, collaborating with Arsenal Women’s team manager Jonas Eidevall I learned a lot about football from him. I would never go back in time.
I’m grateful for my time there because, in addition to working with Jonas, I learnt a lot by making mistakes while serving as head coach.
“I think that every place I’ve been thus far has given me a great chance to develop both personally and as a coach, for which I am incredibly grateful.”
Elena officially began her tenure as head coach of the Celtic FC Women’s team today (Monday), and all roads ultimately lead to paradise.
The Swede knew going into Scotland just how great of a club she was joining, and now that she’s here, she can’t wait to get going ahead of her first time in the dugout this Friday night against Rangers in the Sky Sports Cup semifinal.
She remarked, “I know Celtic is a really big club because, of course, I’m from Sweden.” “We have a great legend in this club – Henrik Larsson – and I know a lot about this club from that.
However, I think Celtic can have a significant impact on women’s basketball, and I’m grateful to be working on this project where I can contribute to the growth of both the women’s team and the academy. I’m therefore overjoyed and quite eager to get going.
“As I’ve stated throughout the process, my focus is on controlling the game—dominating with the ball as much as possible, but the ultimate goal is scoring goals.”
Additionally, we aim to defend high and recover the ball as soon as we can.
“I’m simply so eager to get going. It’s not a bad start against the Rangers in my first game as coach.
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