KooTeePee look to Hyppönen

Steven Polack has been replaced by his assistant Janne Hyppönen as coach of Finnish Veikkausliiga side FC KooTeePee.

Losing streak
After a board meeting on Tuesday, struggling KooTeePee decided to relieve Polack of his duties and put Hyppönen in charge of first-team affairs for the remaining six matches of the season. This followed a 4-1 defeat at FC Lahti on Sunday - the Kotka club's fifth consecutive league defeat.

Declining form
Polack was appointed at the start of the season to lead KooTeePee in their first season in the top flight but they have struggled to adapt to life in the Veikkausliiga. Away from home, they have taken just three points from ten games, and with home form wilting too, the decision was taken to dismiss Polack, who had no previous top-flight coaching experience.

Play-off spot
KooTeePee are currently sharing bottom spot in the table with KuPS Kuopio. The two sides are level on 16 points, but KooTeePee have scored more goals and have a superior goal difference. Polack's first game in charge is against Tampere United on Thursday.