Elena Sadiku: I'm honoured to have started my role as head coach of Celtic FC Women | OneFootball

A new era is underway for the Celtic FC Women’s squad as Elena Sadiku completed her first day as the Ghirls’ new head coach.

The Swedish coach arrives in Glasgow with a whole host of coaching experience from across the globe, despite being just 30-years-old.

Coaching in countries such as China, Denmark and Sweden alongside big names from the women’s game, Elena Sadiku has created history by becoming the first female head coach to lead the Celts.

Speaking in her first exclusive interview with Celtic TV, the Celtic head coach expressed her delight at getting start in her new role.

She said: “It feels amazing to have taken up the role as Women’s team head coach. I’m overwhelmed with everything that has happened so far, but I’m mostly very excited to join this massive, amazing club.

With over seven years of coaching experience to her name, Sadiku arrives at the helm with exciting new ideas to take the club forward.

Despite beginning her coaching career at such an early stage, the 30-year-old also boasts a strong playing CV from her time as a professional in her homeland.

Unfortunately for Sadiku, her playing days were hindered due to injury, having 13 surgeries to try and solve the issues in her knee.

Although it was ultimately a disappointment not to play at the highest level for longer, it allowed the new Celtic boss to venture into the coaching side of the game, and she believes her time as a player continues to aid her in the dugout.

“Where I come from, I played for some very big clubs in Sweden,” she explained. “So I started with Malmo, which is a massive club in Sweden.

“I then moved to Rosengard, who are a club which have been doing great in Europe, but also in Sweden with great history.

“I think coming from being a player to a coach, the dream and the mind-set is still the same. I am also very passionate about developing players, doing my best so I can support and guide players to build that environment that is going to bring success in the end.

“Obviously my injuries have been something that has been very hard for me. I mean, it’s not easy to go through 13 surgeries in one knee.

“But it’s made me into who I am, and I think that is the reason I can understand players in a different level than maybe other coaches that hasn’t been playing or have the same background as I do.

“So I think that is positive attribute for me as a coach to be able to understand players.”

The Swedish youth internationalist made her first step into coaching only a matter of weeks after her retirement, joining the Academy set-up of her former club, Hammarby.

That kicked off a fascinating journey which has now led to Glasgow, which included further Academy and senior coaching roles across the globe.

Sadiku also spent time coaching alongside some big names from across European football, including a spell as assistant manager to current Arsenal Women’s manager, Jonas Eidevall.

The Celtic head coach remains thankful for her experiences working in countries such as China and Denmark, which have helped her develop into the coach she is today.

“My first head coach job came in the Rosengard Academy, so it was a massive step because it was the first time I understood what a coach needs to do.

“So it was overwhelming in that way, and I got more respect for the coaches I had before because I didn’t think there was that much to think about.

“But then obviously working along Jonas Eidevall, who is the manager of the Arsenal Women’s team. He taught me a lot about football. I would never take that time back.

“So I’m really thankful for my time there, because I learned a lot by doing my mistakes as the head coach but also learning from those mistakes, and working alongside Jonas.

All roads eventually led to Paradise for Elena as she officially started her time as head coach of the Celtic FC Women’s squad today (Monday).

Before arriving in Scotland, the Swede was well aware of how big a club she was joining, and now she cannot wait to get started ahead of her first outing in the dugout this Friday evening against Rangers in the semi-final Sky Sports Cup.

“Obviously I’m from Sweden, so I know that Celtic is a really big club,” she said. “We have a great legend in this club – Henrik Larsson – and I know a lot about this club from that.

“But for me, Celtic can do big things for the Women’s game and I’m just happy that I'm in this project that I can help make things develop from the Academy, but also the Women’s Team. So I’m just thrilled and really excited to get started.'

“Also in defence, we want to defend high, we want to win the ball back as quickly as possible.

“I’m just really excited to get started. The first game I’m going to coach is against Rangers – it’s not a bad start.”

Upcoming Fixtures

Glasgow City Women Vs. Celtic Women - Sun, Jan 1st 2024, 14:10