Maso Lehtonen, who achieved two Mesti championships, was not allowed to succeed, writes Urheilu’s Simo Arkko.
Simo Arkkourheilhu journalist
The Hämeenlinna Ball Club announced on Monday evening at 22:16 that it was firing the head coach Maso Lehtonen and coach Mikko Sirento-Mannisen of their duties.
HPK published its announcement just a few minutes after Iltalehti had told about it based on their knowledge.
It was easy to predict the firing of Lehtonen’s coach even before the start of the season. It was already clear beforehand that HPK has the weakest material in the SM league. Not one weak material has been seen in the series in a long time, except for some teams after clearance sales in the offseason.
Lehtonen, 36, who has won two Mestis championships, did not receive chips from the club to succeed. I can ask, what did HPK even expect Lehtonen to achieve?
HPK lost to Ilves, HIFK, Äss and Jukurei in five matches of the early season. The people of Hämeenlinna defeated Sport in the winning goal competition. With HPK’s material, you can’t expect more in terms of results.
Lehtonen could certainly have performed better. However, the biggest responsibility lies with HPK, whose club management has been modest. Last year, the club hired two inexperienced names for important positions: sports director Ilkka Haapean and become a hockey manager Erkki Rajamäki.
It is very confusing how the club has managed to spend 1.9 million HPK on the team.
HPK perhaps trusted that Lehtonen would rise again Antti Pennaseks. The club has fond memories of 2019, when Pennanen’s third season at the club ended with a fairytale Finnish championship.
However, it must be remembered that Pennanen arrived in the SM league from different starting points and significantly more experienced. He had already created his skin as a coach in Jukurei, was an assistant coach in the SM league and experienced being fired at HIFK.
HPK could also have handled Lehtonen’s dismissal more elegantly. MTV Urheilu visited Hämeenlinna on Monday and interviewed Lehtos and the CEO Kaj Källarssonbut the chairman of the board Jyrki Louhi declined to be interviewed.
In the insert published in Möhäistillan’s Tulosruudu, the CEO swore his confidence in Lehtonen, but after the story, fresh news about Lehtonen’s firing was reported.
At first, Källarson talked about how everyone knows the spirit of the game and that every employee is evaluated from day one. When the reporter asked if Maso Lehtonen has the full trust of the club management behind him, Källarson answered as follows.
– Yes, the whole team is in the same boat here, Källarson answered on the Results screen.
From the outside, it seems that at least Louhi already knew he was going to fire Lehtones. The question arises, why did HPK even let Källarson in front of the camera to share such comments?
HPK hired a meritorious person to replace Lehtonen Mikko Mannerinwhich will certainly bring new energy to the playing of the people of Hämeenlinna. It remains to be seen whether Mannerista will also be a miracle worker. The situation is that chaotic.