HJK has released its Spanish coach Ferran Sibilan and its sports director Vesa Mäken of their duties. Aitio first reported on Sibila’s firing, and later Sanoma on both of their departure passes. HJK confirmed the news in its press release after 1 p.m.
Mäki, who started as HJK’s sporting director in September, recruited Sibila to the club as head coach, but then it turned out that the Spaniard does not have the necessary Uefa Pro license to handle the job.
The head coach was appointed in mid-January Ossi Virta. Sibila moved to assistant coach, responsible for “developing the game process.”
HJK’s new head coach is Toni Korkeakunnas. According to media reports, Virta will become an assistant coach.
Virta was also HJK’s assistant coach last year, when Korkeakunnas was the head coach. Last season, Korkeakunnas led HJK to the Finnish champion and on European courts to the group stage of the Conference League after a sticky early season.
HJK is currently in fifth place in the Veikkausliiga and four points behind Vaasa Palloseura, who played one game less. HJK has won three of their eight matches, played three draws and lost twice.
‘s football expert Markus Halsti is not surprised by the news, considering HJK’s recent playful performances. He sees that in HJK, in general, it is necessary to look in the mirror to others than sports director Mäen and coach Sibilan.
– The process has failed almost completely, Halsti sums up and refers to how Sibila’s selection as head coach was justified at the beginning of November.
At that time, the CEO of HJK Aki Riihilahti described in the club’s press release how about domestic coaches Toni Korkeakunnas would have been the first choice. However, according to Riihilahti, HJK wanted to make the most of its resources at home, do even better on the Euro courts and produce even better quality players in accordance with its strategy.
– HJK set out to renew its identity. Now half a year later, we are turning back the clocks. When Korkeakunnas becomes the head coach, it can be thought that the renewal did not go smoothly, says Halsti.
What makes the situation even more special is that the so-called assistant coach is leaving, but the head coach Virta is staying with the club, according to Aio. In the world of sports, you rarely see such a situation. However, according to Sanoma’s information by HJK’s real head coach has been Sibila.
For Halst, words like incompetence come to mind from the activities of the club management.
– HJK has cooked its own soup. This is now the worst scenario that can happen, Halsti linjaa.
Halsti reminds that HJK is the engine of Finnish football.
– All their actions must be A-class. They are the benchmark for others. The last decisions in the club management were not good. Now let’s turn the sled, says Halsti.
Halsti believes that the club management will learn from mistakes. He sees that HJK is still the number one favorite to become champion and can still reach the group stage in the Euro arenas.
– HJK’s player material is by far first class. They also have the resources to sign more players in the summer. HJK will get more money in the bank when Top Middle will probably move abroad, Halsti states
This is how HJK’s special coaching saga progressed
4.9.2023 HJK hires Vesa Mäki, who moved from FC Inter from Turku to Ilves from Tampere, as the new sports director Miika Takkulan in place of.
On November 3, 2023, the Spanish Ferran Sibila will be hired as HJK’s head coach. 35-year-old Sibila has previously coached in Sweden at GF Sundsvall and IFK Gothenburg. Sibila has no previous experience as a head coach at the adult level. Toni Korkeakunnas, who coached HJK to the Finnish championship, is not allowed to continue as head coach. Sanoman by Mäki recommended Sibila as the new head coach. They have gotten to know each other in the Ekkono coaching method trainings.
21.12.2023 Helsingin Sanomat news, that Ferran Sibila lacks the Uefa Pro license required to become Veikkausliiga’s head coach. HJK hopes that Sibila will get to the Uefa Pro course in Sweden and thus avoid sanctions. HJK flashes a backup plan for two head coaches.
22.12.2023 Palloliitto knocks down HJK’s backup plan for two head coaches in an interview with .
4/1/2024. Sibila does not make it to Sweden’s Uefa Pro course. HJK publishes the release, according to which HJK was aware of Sibila’s situation. According to HJK, Sibila had preliminary information from the Swedish association that she would be able to attend the starting course. HJK says that it intends to comply with the license regulations of the Football Association.
12.1.2024. HJK reportthat Ossi Virta, originally appointed as an assistant coach, is HJK’s new head coach. Virtra has the required Uefa Pro license. According to HJK, Virra’s head coach contract is valid until Sibila can start Uefa Pro training. Sibila is an assistant coach who is responsible for “developing HJK’s game process”.
On May 4, 2024, HJK will play a goalless draw on their home field against EIF from Tammisaari. Ossi Virta walks around with a megaphone apologizing in front of the HJK supporter’s stand for the team’s performances. HJK’s early season has gotten off to a sticky start. There are three consecutive draws behind.
17.5. HJK loses the top game at home to Vaasa Palloseura 1–2. At the Töölö football stadium, HJK fans boo sports director Vesa Mäe. Information from Helsingin Sanomat by HJK’s real head coach is Ferran Sibila. Sanoman of information according to the players consider the coach’s theater to be completely ridiculous pranks.
20.5. Box tells referring to his information that Ferran Sibila has been fired. Sanoma, on the other hand, reports that sports director Mäki is allowed to leave. According to Aitio’s information, Toni Korkeakunnas will be the new head coach. According to Aiti, Ossi Virta will continue in the coaching team as an assistant coach. HJK announces that it has released Mäki and Sibila from their duties.