Former Sweden boss Andersson joins emergency aid drive to Ukraine
Former Sweden national team manager Janne Andersson will dedicate his time to delivering emergency aid to Ukraine with The Blue Light Foundation in Cooperation, Swedish media reports said.
Andersson led Sweden to the quarter-finals of the World Cup in 2018 but ended his seven-year reign as coach in November 2023 after the team failed to qualify for the European Championship in Germany.
He announced his retirement from coaching in April and will now use his time to support Ukrainians as they endure the fourth year of the Russian invasion.
"I have quit as a football coach and therefore have more time in my life. I want to use that time to do good things," Andersson said in a press release as referenced by Swedish media.
"Driving emergency vehicles down to Ukraine as a volunteer..., and helping the Ukrainian people on the ground in that way, it feels really, really good," the 62-year-old added.
The donated vehicles and equipment are part of a larger aid package, valued at approximately 30 million SEK ($3.05 million), with the handover set to take place in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv.
The Swedish Blue Light Foundation in Cooperation was formed in 2018 with the aim of using the funds raised to assist colleagues in the Police, Coast Guard, Customs, Rescue Services and Ambulance Care. REUTERS
Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

Straits Times
an hour ago
- Straits Times
Poland manager Probierz resigns after Lewandowski row
Poland manager Michal Probierz resigned on Thursday following a row over his decision to replace the country's record goalscorer Robert Lewandowski as captain. Lewandowski, 36, said on Sunday he would no longer play for the national team with Probierz at the helm, and told a Polish news site on Monday he was hurt by the way the manager had told him he was being replaced with Piotr Zielinski. The Barcelona forward said he had received a short call from Probierz just as he was putting his children to bed, and that a statement about him losing the captaincy appeared soon after on the Polish Football Association (PZPN) website. "I have come to the conclusion that in the current situation the best decision for the good of the national team will be my resignation from the position of coach," Probierz said in a statement. "Performing this function was the fulfilment of my professional dreams and the greatest honour in my life." Probierz took over from Portuguese Fernando Santos as Poland manager in 2023, taking them to Euro 2024 where his side were the first team to be eliminated. His contract was due to expire at the end of the qualifying period for the 2026 World Cup. Poland are third in Group G of the 2026 qualifiers with six points from three matches, a point behind group leaders Finland. "The Polish Football Association would like to thank selector Michal Probierz very much for his cooperation and involvement in leading the national team, wishing him success in his further career," PZPN said. Lewandowski, who has scored 85 goals for his country in a record 158 appearances, missed Poland's 2-1 defeat by Finland in a World Cup qualifier on Tuesday as well as their 2-0 win over Moldova in a friendly on Friday. The former Bayern Munich striker citied physical and mental exhaustion after a long season as the reason for his absence. Poland next visit the Netherlands in World Cup qualifiers on September 4. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.


CNA
3 hours ago
- CNA
Belgian club Leuven dismiss former Wales manager Coleman
Former Wales manager Chris Coleman has been fired by OH Leuven six months after joining them, the Belgian club said. The former Wales defender was appointed in December by Leuven, whose owners also control Leicester City, and he led them to an 11th-place finish, enough to qualify for playoffs for a potential spot in European club competition next season. "In those playoffs, the performances remained below expectations. That is why the club is now opting for change with a view to next season and is ending the collaboration with Coleman," Leuven said in a statement. Coleman, 55, took Wales to the European Championship semi-finals in 2016. He also managed English clubs Fulham, Sunderland and Coventry City, and Spain's Real Sociedad.

Straits Times
3 hours ago
- Straits Times
Belgian club Leuven dismiss former Wales manager Coleman
Former Wales manager Chris Coleman has been fired by OH Leuven six months after joining them, the Belgian club said. The former Wales defender was appointed in December by Leuven, whose owners also control Leicester City, and he led them to an 11th-place finish, enough to qualify for playoffs for a potential spot in European club competition next season. "In those playoffs, the performances remained below expectations. That is why the club is now opting for change with a view to next season and is ending the collaboration with Coleman," Leuven said in a statement. Coleman, 55, took Wales to the European Championship semi-finals in 2016. He also managed English clubs Fulham, Sunderland and Coventry City, and Spain's Real Sociedad. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.