Jacob Friis

Jacob Fischer Friis (born 11 December 1976) is a Danish professional football manager and former player who is serving as the head coach of the Finland national team.

Playing career Friis was team captain of the AaB reserve team playing in the fourth tier Denmark Series before retiring due to injury in 2002–03.

Managerial career Friis started his career as a coach in connection with a job as an assistant coach for AaB's seventh-tier Series 3 team. He then continued as an assistant coach for AaB's reserves, playing in the fourth-tier Denmark Series, where he remained until the summer of 2006. However, the job as a football coach was not satisfactory for Friis,

Søndergaard was dismissed in December 2016. Morten Wieghorst signed with AaB as their new head coach in early-January 2017, and Friis was appointed his main assistant with Thomas Augustinussen as second assistant. He signed an ongoing contract extension at the end of March 2018. and Wieghorst was subsequently fired on 26 November 2018. As his interim, Friis was appointed head coach for the three remaining matches in the Danish Superliga during the fall. Friis' first match in charge resulted in a 4–1 win over Esbjerg fB on 1 December 2018. Despite AaB losing the next match 4–2 at home to AC Horsens on 9 December, Friis was still signed on a permanent deal for the remained of the 2018–19 season. Assistant Peter Feher took over as caretaker manager with Rasmus Würtz continuing as assistant.

Augsburg On 8 November 2023, Friis left Viborg to become new assistant manager of Jess Thorup at FC Augsburg in the German Bundesliga.

Finland national team On 20 January 2025, the Football Association of Finland announced that Friis was named the new head coach of the Finland national team on a three-year contract with an option for the possible UEFA Euro 2028 final tournament.

Education In August 2015, Friis acquired the UEFA Pro Licence, also known as the 'P licence'; the highest coaching education. His final assignment was entitled Afslutningspil fra mellemrum - Mod etableret forsvar (Finishing from the red zone - against established defense).

Career statistics

Managerial

+ Managerial record by club and tenureTeamFromToRecord AaB 10 December 2018 29 October 2020 Viborg 3 February 2022 8 November 2023 Finland 20 January 2025 presentTotal

Honours Finland FIFA Series: 2026