JK Tallinna Kalev has announced that they have parted ways with Finnish coach Teemu Tainio after eight months in charge. His assistant, Alo Bärengrub, will take over as the new manager of the club.
Tallinna Kalev has had a difficult start to the season. After nine matches, the team is in last place in the league with just four points. Tainio, who took over as manager in August 2024, faced heavy losses in his last two league games. The team suffered a record-tying 0-9 defeat against Levadia and lost 1-6 to Nomme Kalju in what ultimately became Tainio’s final match.
The 45-year-old Finnish coach had an impressive playing career, spending eight seasons in Ligue 1 with Auxerre and playing in the English Premier League for Tottenham and Sunderland. After his playing career he started as a scout with Tottenham, but later on moved to coaching. Prior to joining Kalev, he managed the Finnish team Haka and served as an assistant at the Cypriot club AEL Limassol. While at Kalev he was also a Finnish national team assistant manager.
During his time as manager of Tallinna Kalev, Tainio recorded 8 wins, 4 draws, and 17 losses over 29 games. His assistant, Alo Bärengrub, will take over as the new manager at Kalev. At 41 years old, Bärengrub has previously managed various youth teams within the Kalev organization and served as the manager of the Estonian U-19 national team. This will be his first position as a top-league manager.
JK Tallinna Kalev’s next match will be against Paide Linnameeskond on Saturday.