Stockholm, Sweden – AIK Fotboll has announced the appointment of Sergio Almenara Crispín as the new assistant coach for the men’s first team, effective April 1, 2026. The move reunites Almenara with head coach José Riveiro, marking the continuation of a successful partnership forged over several years and across multiple continents.
The announcement, made on March 27, 2026, was met with enthusiasm by AIK’s recruitment chief, Miika Takkula. “We are very pleased to welcome Sergio as part of AIK’s coaching staff,” Takkula stated. “His competence and personality are an excellent addition to the current staff. Sergio’s specialized skills in individual player development and set pieces will add significant value to our operation.”
Almenara, 45, began his coaching career at a young age, leading his younger brother’s team in the Valencia region of Spain at just 16 years old. He steadily progressed, focusing on youth coaching, video analysis, scouting, and tactical analysis. His international career took flight in the mid-2010s when he moved to Finland, where he first collaborated with Riveiro.
The pair worked together at FC Inter Åbo between 2019 and 2021 before moving to South Africa to join Orlando Pirates FC in the summer of 2022. Their time at Orlando Pirates proved highly successful, with the team winning the MTN8 League Cup and the Nedbank Cup twice each between 2022 and 2025. This track record of success is clearly a factor in AIK’s decision to bring Almenara on board.
Most recently, Almenara served as an assistant coach at FC Copenhagen in Denmark, working under Jacob Neestrup until early March 2026. Prior to joining AIK, he as well held a role as an assistant coach for the Finnish national team, responsible for set-piece strategies, from March 2025 to January 2026. This experience demonstrates a versatility and breadth of knowledge that will be valuable to AIK.
The appointment of Almenara signals AIK’s commitment to strengthening its coaching staff and building on the foundation laid by Riveiro. The club will be hoping that the duo can replicate the success they enjoyed in Finland and South Africa in the Swedish Allsvenskan league. For fans unfamiliar with the Allsvenskan, it’s the top tier of Swedish football, known for its competitive nature and passionate fan base.
Miika Takkula’s role as AIK’s Head of Recruitment, a position he’s held since January 1, 2026, has been instrumental in bringing in talent like Almenara. His previous experience as Sporting Director at Ilves Tampere and HJK Helsinki demonstrates a keen eye for identifying and securing promising individuals for the club. Transfermarkt provides a detailed overview of Takkula’s career.
Almenara’s contract with AIK runs through the 2028 season, providing stability and allowing him to implement his coaching philosophy over the long term. His expertise in individual player development will be particularly crucial as AIK looks to nurture young talent and improve the overall quality of the squad. The focus on set pieces is also noteworthy, as these can often be the difference between winning and losing in closely contested matches.
AIK Fotboll will undoubtedly be looking to build on their recent performances with the addition of Almenara to the coaching staff. The club’s supporters will be eager to see how this new partnership unfolds and whether it can lead to success on the pitch. The next confirmed checkpoint for AIK is their upcoming match, details of which will be announced on the club’s official website. Fans can stay updated on all the latest news and information by visiting AIK Fotboll’s official website.
