Columbus Crew SC names former European head coach and Finland international Sixten Boström as assistant coach.
It’s no secret that Columbus Crew SC Sporting Director and Head Coach Gregg Berhalter places a large emphasis on international experience when looking for potential players to add to the squad.
This offseason, Berhalter has been busy acquiring international talent to help fill any holes in the team’s roster. Now, it appears the team will turn to the international coaching ranks to improve its coaching staff as well.
Crew SC announced Wednesday afternoon that former European head coach and Finnish international Sixten Boström will be joining the team’s technical staff as an assistant for the upcoming season.
Boström brings a wealth of international experience to the Crew SC technical staff. He previously coached four European teams — HJK, Örebro, Jaro and Ekenäs IF — and led teams to appearances in the UEFA Champions and Europa Leagues. He also served as the Education Manager for the Finland Football Association, where he oversaw the training, organization and development of soccer coaches in Finland.
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Simply put, this is a big-time hire for Crew SC that should pay huge dividends for the organization. Boström brings a winning pedigree and top-level experience to a team loaded with young talent and primed for a breakout season.
Boström joins former MLS stars Pat Onstad and Josh Wolff on Berhalter’s staff, and will provide an international perspective to the club’s gameplan. Berhalter favors a possession-based game, and appears to have brought in Boström to be in charge of tactical decisions. With Boström’s extensive European coaching experience, he should be a perfect fit for Berhalter’s vision.
Furthermore, Boström’s experience training and developing coaches as Education Manager should help Crew SC’s staff tremendously. His 15 years of coaching experience is more than Berhalter, Onstad and Wolff combined.
Boström is wasting no time getting started, and will immediately join the club during preseason training in Lakewood Ranch, Fla., where the club is preparing for Crew SC’s 20th season. Crew SC will open the season March 7 at Houston, before returning home for the home opener on March 14 against Toronto FC.
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