Former Latvian national team manager Dainis Kazakevičs has been linked with a move to FA Šiauliai, reports 15min.lt portal.
Dainis Kazakevičs, who led Latvia from 2020 until end of 2023, is rumoured to take over from Mindaugas Čepas at FA Šiauliai. The Lithuanian side are on the search for a new head coach, after announcing that Čepas, who was with the club since 2020, will not remain past the 2024 season.
The Latvian manager, currently unemployed after being sacked by the Latvian Football Federation in favour of Italian Paolo Nicolato at the end of last year, was in charge of the national team over 41 official matches, winning 1.07 point per match over that time. Previously, he also managed Latvian U-21 squad over 60 official matches (0.9 points per match) and FK Jelgava over 106 official matches (1.12 points per match). Kazakevičs enjoyed mixed results with Latvia, having taken them from Nations League Group D to Group C before, ultimately, succumbing to popular protests by disappointed fans following what was perceived, at the time, to be a failed EURO qualification campaign, unimaginative squad selection, and generally unattractive football.
In various interviews following his departure, Kazakevičs stated that, while he is open to a new challenge in the near future, it was important for him to find a post that fits his long-term approach to team building. Given the length of tenure of Mindaugas Čepas, the club’s focus on own player development and the fact that Kazakevičs is known for his work with youngsters, FA Šiauliai and the Latvian specialist may, indeed, prove to be made for each other.
Deivis Kančelskis, Director of FA Šiauliai confirmed to 15min.lt that talks are ongoing and that the club are keen to appoint a new manager as soon as possible:
We already had several conversations with him, we met. It can be said that we have several candidates and Dainis is one of them.
Everything starts with the coach, so we want to have him as soon as possible. Then it will be possible to conclude contracts, form a team and prepare for the new season. We would like to make an agreement as soon as possible, I think we will have a coach in the next two weeks.
If Kazakevičs does make a move south, he will be joining 30 year old striker Dāvis Ikaunieks – one of his favourites while at the helm of the national team. Ikaunieks, who is the older brother of current Latvia and FC RFS star midfielder Jānis Ikaunieks, came in as the second top scorer of A Lyga this season, scoring 18 goals in 34 games.
Source: https://www.15min.lt/sportas/naujiena/futbolas/po-nuviliancio-sezono-siauliai-nusitaike-i-buvusi-latvijos-rinktines-stratega-24-2350616?utm_medium=copied