Mikko Manner’s spring 2023 has been eventful.
Mikko Manner has worked in Leijon as an assistant coach since 2016. From 2013 to 2021, he worked at Kärpi in Oulu. The head coach’s relationship with the traditional Swedish club Brynäs, which started in the spring of 2021, ended with dismissals in March. Jussi Saarinen
– When the announcement came, all emotions came to the surface during the first week: sadness, anger and accusations.
That’s what the assistant coach of the Lions says Mikko Manner48.
He received shock kicks from Brynäs’ head coach before the Swedish league qualifiers at the end of March. At the same time the door was opened, the helpers left Kalle Kaskinen and Ari-Pekka Pajuluoma.
– The series is tight and hard. We played ok, but we lost too many goals.
Was a skill coach for the Gävle club Ove Mollin replaced Manner as head coach.
Brynäs had resorted to a similar solution before the qualifying games in the spring of 2021. At that time To Peter Andersson and To Viktor Stråhle mono was given and replaced Josef Boumedienne and Nils Ekman.
Two years ago Brynäs survived, but this spring came the departure after 63 years in the main league.
– Of course, I believe that I would have stayed in the series if I had been allowed to continue. That’s clear, Manner says.
The man states that he has gotten over the firing mentally.
– You shouldn’t be bitter, and not hang around, but really try to learn.
When Brynäs’ games were over, Manner called through his former players and coaching staff.
– I received feedback from people, because you can learn about genuine development targets from them.
In Sweden, Manner received a lot of criticism in public when he set himself up as a martyr after the defeats.
– My style is that I always protect the team. You won’t hear a bad word from me about my own players, the opponent or the referee, Manner announces.
– When I’m sad and sorry and live with the feeling after the game, many times I take too many shots at myself. Then it can be interpreted as the coach not being tough enough or the coach has given up. Maybe in the future we need to be a little more confident, he specifies.
Owner to Vaasa
Jukka Jalonen (pictured on the right) draws big lines in Leijon – as befits a head coach’s joke. Jussi Saarinen
In April, Vaasan Sport announced that Manner, who lives in the town, will become a partner in the club with a “significant investment”.
Manner does not disclose the amount. He says it’s not about “millions”.
– Oskar Osalan with was placed so that more full-time people could be hired on the junior side. I believe that credibility was gained in the environment, sponsors and club members. Junior work in Sport is in a weak position, even though the conditions are good.
Does your affiliation mean you can’t coach any other league club?
Manner says he doesn’t know his contract clause.
– In Finland, I don’t want to coach next season under any circumstances, because there is no hunger for it. The goal is to get to Europe and I don’t want to give up on that.
If the phone doesn’t ring, Manner holds morning training sessions for juniors from Vaasa.
– I will contribute to the maintenance of my professional skills and the development of the young players of my beloved club until something is found.
Qualifier supporter
Mikko Manner (left) is in contact with Leijoni’s video coach Janne Hietaniemi during the game. In training in Tampere, both men were on the ice. Jussi Saarinen
Probably, without Sweden’s qualifying system, Manner would have coached Brynäs at least until the end of the season.
– The cleats hit my ankle now, but I wouldn’t change them. I definitely support the qualifiers.
According to Suomalainen, the emotional state caused by the qualifiers cannot be described in words.
– I hope that the qualifiers would also come to the SM league. There should be a little patience here, and we shouldn’t be afraid that there will be some Mestis club with an ice rink that is too small.
A button in the ear
Manner has been Leijoni’s assistant coach since 2016. In this year’s tournament, the man’s area of responsibility includes superior play and general observation of the game. Jukka Jalonen fool the attackers and Ari-Pekka Selin packages.
On the mainland, during the matches, there is an Earbud and a “hot line upstairs” to the team’s videographers.
– The most important thing in the World Cup is that the game improves. You have to be on the same page quickly and do well at the beginning of the tournament, but after that you have to get the team to play a little faster in terms of defense and attack.