Former Pirates Assistant Joins Danish Giants
Former Orlando Pirates assistant coach Sergio Almenara has bagged a new role in Denmark, signing with Danish Superligaen champions, FC Copenhagen, with immediate effect, the club announced on Sunday evening.
Almenara parted ways with the Sea Robbers at the end of the 2023/24 campaign, citing a desire to be closer to his family as the main contributing factor to his departure. The Valencia native had been part of Riveiro’s backroom staff since January 2019.
During his time with the Buccaneers in the Premier Soccer League (PSL), the Spanish mentor won back-to-back MTN8 and Nedbank Cup titles as Jose Riveiro’s trusted second in command alongside Mandla Ncikazi, before leaving at the end of the 2023/24 season.
In January 2025, Almenara reunited with his former club FC Inter Turku in the Finnish top-flight division, where he also served as an assistant coach to Riveiro before the duo accepted the Soweto giants’ project ahead of the 2022/23 season.
Now, at the Danish giants, the 45-year-old tactician was roped in preparation for the upcoming 2025/26 campaign and will serve as an assistant coach with a special focus on set pieces, analysis, and specific individual development in collaboration with the rest of the technical team.
Almenara will perform dual duties as he is currently part of the Finland national team, where he is also responsible for set pieces, having accumulated a vast amount of experience across different countries and continents.
“I am looking forward to becoming a part of FC Copenhagen and helping to further develop the very good finish that the team delivered last season,” Almenara, who has also worked as a head coach and a scout, told the club’s media team.
“I look forward to being able to bring my skills to bear both in the team, but also towards the players on the pitch.”
FC Copenhagen is the former club of Sibusiso Zuma, who is a cult hero, with the Danish side having won the league title 16 times.
