Baseball club Manse PP published new contracts for next season on Friday. The most talked about news was the naming of player legend Toni Kohonen as the new game director.
21.10. 18:06•Updated 21.10. 21:58
The new manager of the Manse PP men’s representative team has been appointed Toni Kohonen. Kohonen, who ended his career as a player against Manse in the middle of August, therefore jumps into the role practically directly after the end of his playing career. The 46-year-old Kohonen’s contract is for 1+2 years.
– The last couple of months have been busy, the phone and e-mail have been singing hard, Kohonen commented in Tampere At the announcement event organized by Aamulehti (you will switch to another service).
After the end of the season, Kohonen was supposed to distance himself from top baseball, but contact from the management of Manse PP changed the plans.
– As the negotiations progressed, the understanding that we want to be involved in this became stronger, Kohonen, who has won 10 SM golds, said in an interview at the announcement event.
Almost a novice as a game director
In 2014, Kohonen worked in Sotkamon Jymy, playing one season as the game director of the club’s b-juniors. At the adult level, however, the man is facing a completely new challenge as a game director.
– That summer was busy and heavy, when in addition to his own playing career he had to take care of another team’s coaching and game management, Kohonen opened in the interview.
Kohonen, who played in Superpesis for almost 30 years, became known in his career especially for his dominating lock game. Kiteen Pallo’s stud, chosen 13 times as winner of the year, was a rock-hard competitor and at his best in autumn, when the stakes were down. Setting the requirement level is hardly a problem in the new washing machine.
– Lukkarina has had to observe the game management, which is certainly useful as a game manager. The view of the game that I have gained through experience is my biggest strength, Kohonen analyzed in Tampere.
Just over a month ago, Manse PP lost the Superpesis finals to Vimpelin Vedo with a 0–3 win. Next season, the team’s goal is unequivocally the championship.
– The people of Tampere and the whole team are certainly waiting for the championship. However, the journey is long, Kohonen opened Aamulehti at the event.
Kohonen trusts the team’s outside game. As a game director, he wants to emphasize in-game matters in particular.
– I want to bring new things and tricks to the inner game, Kohonen concluded his part at Aamulehti’s event.
The event also talked about player acquisition. A wind speeder from Pattijoki was hired to strengthen the team Severi Piispanen.
Read also: