Last year, the club started the season with Mattias Lindström and Alváro Santos on the coaching bench – but the duo had to leave after only three rounds.
To replace, Helsingborg brought in Stuart Baxter as coach. The team made it through a negative qualification thanks to a better goal difference than Skövde AIK.
After the season, Baxter chose to leave the assignment. Helsingborg brought in Kléber Saarenpää from IK Brage as a replacement.
This year it has gone all the better. With five games left to play, Helsingborg is fighting for promotion to the Allsvenskan – something that Baxter is happy about.
– I think it’s fantastic to see and Klebér has done a very good job. I think we took step one last year during the recovery. “Micke” (Mikael Dahlberg, sporting manager), Fredrik Karlsson (chairman), the board and Klebér have been consistent, Baxter says to The soccer channel.
The Scot further believes that the players are in a more comfortable position this year than last year.
– And the players have lived without the knife to their throats. Halfway through the series, they’ve really picked up on it and now they feel like they can play out a little bit. It shows that they have made the right investment, that everyone there has done a good job, he says.
Baxter is not particularly keen to talk about Helsingborg’s chances for Allsvenskan promotion.
I think they want to keep it as low as possible.
– I think everyone in HIF will slap me in the face if I start talking about Allsvenskan. They have tried to live in reality. The reality financially, really with signings – Micke Dahlberg and Klebér have been allowed to live in it. They have worked with their younger players and continued that journey. To now throw in “Oh, if we go to the Allsvenskan”… I think they want to keep it as low as possible, he says to the Football Channel.
Helsingborg is currently fourth in the Superettan, with one point up from the qualifying spot.
Analyzing Helsingborg’s Coaching Change: The Impact of Stuart Baxter
As I delved into the recent coaching changes at Helsingborg, I was struck by the tumultuous start to their season last year. Initially, the club had Mattias Lindström and Alváro Santos at the helm, but their tenure was short-lived, lasting only three rounds before they were ousted. In their place, Helsingborg brought in Stuart Baxter, a seasoned coach with a wealth of experience.
But who is Stuart Baxter? A look at his background reveals a man with a rich history in football. Born on August 16, 1953, Baxter is an English-Scottish football coach and former player [[1]]. He was born in England to Scottish parents and grew up in Scotland, which likely influenced his passion for the beautiful game.
Baxter’s coaching career has been marked by various stints at different clubs, but his recent tenure at Helsingborg is particularly noteworthy. According to Transfermarkt, Baxter took the reins at Helsingborg in April 2023 and is still currently at the helm [[3]]. His impact on the team has been significant, as evidenced by their ability to navigate a negative qualification thanks to a better goal difference.
While the article doesn’t provide an exhaustive account of Baxter’s coaching philosophy or tactics, it’s clear that he brought a sense of stability and direction to the team. His experience and leadership were likely instrumental in helping Helsingborg overcome a rocky start to the season.
As a seasoned coach, Baxter has had his fair share of successes and setbacks. However, his ability to adapt and innovate has been key to his longevity in the sport. It will be interesting to see how he continues to shape Helsingborg’s fortunes in the coming seasons.
the appointment of Stuart Baxter as coach of Helsingborg has been a turning point for the club. His experience, leadership, and tactical acumen have helped the team navigate a treacherous start to the season, and he remains a key figure in their quest for success.
References:
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stuart_Baxter
[2] https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stuart_Baxter
[3] https://www.transfermarkt.it/stuart-baxter/profil/trainer/2072
