Sports director Vesa Mäki and Ferran Sibila have to leave their positions.
HJK announces that it has released the sports director Vesa Mäken and coach Ferran Sibilan of their duties. He will return as HJK’s head coach Toni Korkeakunnas. His coaching team will be confirmed later.
Aitio and Sanoma already reported on double kicks earlier.
Korkeakunnas, who coached HJK last season, will start in Pesti immediately and will participate in Tuesday’s training and in HJK’s next match against Gnistan.
HJK is currently in fifth place in the Veikkausliiga, four points behind Vaasa Palloseura, who played one match less. HJK has won three of their eight matches, played three draws and lost twice.
– There have been too many fundamental problems in the team’s play in terms of defense and attack. We also stated that with the results of the early season, the team now needs clarity and leadership in coaching. That’s why we decided in the club that the only option left was to hire a new head coach. We found good candidates, from whom we ended up with Toke, CEO of HJK Oy, as the best option Aki Riihilahti states in the announcement.
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, who was responsible for “developing the game process.”
In November, when choosing Sibila, HJK said that they were looking for the next game-like step.
At that time, CEO Riihilahti described in the club’s press release how Korkeakunnas would have been the number one choice among domestic coaches. However, according to Riihilahti, HJK’s will was to make the most of its resources at home, to do even better on the Euro courts and, in accordance with its strategy, to produce even better quality players.
– The club wanted to boldly try to take a new step. It is also brave to say that this time the decision was wrong. Now is the time to give all our support to Toke and focus on this moment so that we can reach our goals this season as well, says Riihilahti.
Riihilahti and Korkeakunnas had discussed the situation at length on Sunday.
– Tokke had a very convincing analysis of what gameplay changes are needed for this situation. In addition, he has excellent experience and knowledge of the players and how to get the best out of the team. We got other good options on the table, but in the end the choice was clear, says Riihilahti.
Sports director Mäki hopes that HJK’s course will turn around with the help of new factors.
– Of course, I am upset and sorry that I did not succeed in my task as I should have. I tried my best, and this time it wasn’t enough, says Mäki.
Sibila understands the decision made by HJK:
– HJK must win the Finnish championship, and we are not at the top of the league now. I really hope that the team and the club achieve their goals. I am sorry that I caused the club trouble due to the missing Uefa Pro license.