Huhkaji’s coaching team also gets new names.
Joel Sippola,
Jussi Saarinen
Markku Kanerva continues as the head coach of the Finnish men’s national football team. Huhkaji’s assistant coaches are the former captain of the national team Tim Sparvthe current head coach of Kuopio Palloseura Jani Honkavaara and Teemu Tainio.
Kanerva’s contract includes the Nations League starting in the fall, World Cup qualifiers and a possible 2026 World Cup final tournament.
– Kanerva is the Huuhkajie’s most successful head coach of all time. It is a fact that cannot and should not be ignored in decision-making. Under the leadership of Kanerva, the Huuhkajat have exceeded expectations in relation to their own and opponent’s level, which was a significant factor in signing the extension contract, the chairman of the Palloliitto Ari Lahti says in the announcement.
Kanerva became the Huuhkajie’s head coach in December 2016. He led the Finnish men’s national team to the European Championship for the first time in 2020.
Kanerva’s current contract continues until the end of this year. In the fall, Finland plays in the Nations League, the World Cup qualifiers start in 2025.
Recently, Kanerva has gathered criticism that the Finnish game has not developed compared to the worst competitors. Finland did not make it to the currently played European Championships, which was considered a big disappointment.
Kanerva already made national team history in 2009, when he led Finland’s under-21 team to the European Championships for the first time. He was selected as the Coach of the Year based on the same year.
He worked as an assistant coach of the A national team since 2011.
The news is being completed.