Mikko Manner made a contract with Oulun Kärppie for the position of assistant coach until the end of the season. The goal is still head coaching abroad.
The head coach of Oulu Kärppi’s last years Mikko Manner has returned to Liiga and Oulu Kärppi with a humble mind.
A two-season assignment abroad in Sweden’s Brynäs ended with dismissal in March 2023. After this, Manner has been in the coaching team of the Finnish national team Jukka Jalonen help and the work continues. Manner has also coached 16-year-olds in Vaasa.
Manner doesn’t like hiring Ville Mäntymaan to the coaching team as a derogatory matter in any way, but seeks support for his idea from behind the big rapako.
– In the NHL, it has been customary to hire former head coaches to help the new and younger coach, and it has not been perceived as a problem of any kind. I still have a strong competitive drive. I want to belong to a group where I can realize my professional skills. There is enough passion and I would be happy to be an assistant coach in a league team, says Manner.
Manner would also like to see that his return as an assistant coach would be in the position of a trendsetter and that the practice would become part of the domestic puck culture.
– Of course it’s a matter of resources for the club. The salary will decrease, and this may have slowed down the head coach’s desire to return as an assistant coach, reflects Manner.
Manner emphasizes that he is an assistant coach. In matches, he plays the attackers and is responsible for the underpowered game.
The goal of Manner, who turns 50 in the summer, is still to be the head coach abroad.
– It’s a dream, but let’s take it one day at a time. Life has taught me that too, concludes Manner.