The Estonian Football Association (EJL) has confirmed that former national team defender Teet Allas will take over as the new head of Estonia’s top football leagues starting 1 December, succeeding outgoing league chief Veiko Soo.
Allas, who earned 73 caps and scored twice for Estonia between 1997 and 2007, has spent more than a decade working within the EJL structure, primarily in grassroots football. He joined the federation in 2012 to oversee youth projects and summer camps, later serving for ten years as head of grassroots football. Since autumn 2022, he has also acted as national futsal coordinator.
Upon his appointment, Allas thanked Soo for his contribution and acknowledged the scale of the task ahead. “I want to thank Veiko Soo, who led the top leagues with great passion and helped them take a major step forward. These are big shoes to fill, but I’m highly motivated,” Allas said. He added that he has already spoken with many clubs and stakeholders, meaning he will “start in December with a kind of flying start.”
Unlike Soo—whose remit covered the three men’s divisions (A. Le Coq Premium Liiga, Esiliiga and Esiliiga B)—Allas will oversee a broader portfolio. In addition to the three men’s leagues, he will now also be responsible for the Women’s Meistriliiga and the Men’s Futsal Meistriliiga. “A. Le Coq Premium Liiga will of course remain a major focus,” Allas emphasised.
A key priority will be enhancing the matchday and media experience for Estonia’s top-flight supporters. Allas noted that innovation must come through collaboration with clubs and media partners: “There is room for improvement everywhere, but it’s easier to make progress together. The federation has an important role as a guide, but we cannot create fans for the clubs. What we can be is a helping hand, a partner and a tool as we work toward shared goals.”
The top-leagues department will undergo an additional structural change: Marie Heleen Lisette Kimsen, who has worked part-time as the division’s marketing specialist, will continue in the role full-time from December.
