Comment|Blood exchange is a risk, but according to the editorial information, the club thinks that the risk is worth taking, writes sports journalist Ari Virtanen.
A native of Oulunk Gnistan made an indelible impression in the Veikkausliiga last season, which was the first season in the club’s hundred-year history in the main league.
Gnistan’s junior stand thrilled the spectators, the well-coached team charmed with its aggressive play, and the atmosphere in Oulunkylä’s games was exceptionally warm.
Gnistan has seemed like a club that works according to its values. Communalism and responsibility have been emphasized.
Maybe that’s why people inside the club and on the sidelines were startled when Gnistan said goodbye to fourteen players and one assistant coach and caretaker last week. It seemed like a cold thing to do.
Blood exchange is a risk, but according to the editorial information, the club thinks that the risk is worth taking. Sports Director Jarkko Jokiranta and head coach Jussi Leppälahti have agreed that the team needs to be renewed.
The first one Gnistan got its promotion to the league a bit lucky, when after losing the league qualification, the league place opened up due to the bankruptcy of FC Honga’s parent company. Gnistan was then preparing for a place in the First League, and the team’s player recruitments were safe searches for that situation.
Now Gnistan is looking for players who are already good league players and fit the team’s style of play and its requirements.
Is everything well and harmonious inside Gnistan? Not anyway. Unfortunately, head coach Leppälahti had to give up his assistant coach Eero from Laurilawho last season had great responsibility for the team’s press game plans for matches and their practice.
”
Behind the pleasant essence of Uusitalo is a demanding manager who does not hesitate to take drastic measures for the development of the club.
According to the editorial information, Laurila would have wanted to continue as an assistant coach and Leppälahti would have wanted to keep him. Chairman of Jokiranta and Gnistan oy Antti Uusitalo the idea is to bring a coach to Leppälahti’s coaching group, who can become the head coach in the near future.
I bet the assistant coach of the women’s national team Jonne Kunnas may be one of the candidates for the position.
The spark inside, the Jokiranta’s special contract has also sparked discussion and anger. When he became athletic director, Gnistan said his contract included an option to become head coach for the 2026 or 2027 season.
It is known that it has also aroused wonder among Gnistan’s junior coaches, because Jokiranta is a junior coach by background. The riverside now has a passing lane, at least in the agreement.
The deal is very strange. But perhaps the special option acted as an enticement for Jokiranna to become the sports director. In fact, he hardly has a very big chance to become Gnistan’s head coach in the next few years.
Firstly, he has far too little experience to be the head coach of a men’s league team and secondly, he lacks the necessary coaching license.
In the end, Antti Uusitalo decides who will be the head coach, regardless of the option in the sports director’s contract. Behind the pleasant essence of Uusitalo is a demanding manager who does not hesitate to take drastic measures for the development of the club.
However, Uusitalo also has its master, and he must report to the main owner Kustaa Poutiainenfor whom the club’s values of community, development, equality and responsibility are very important.