Jani Honkavaara Explained

Jani Honkavaara
Height:1.8m (05.9feet)
Birth Date:1976 2, df=yes
Birth Place:Seinäjoki, Finland[1]
Position:Forward / Midfielder
Currentclub:KuPS (manager)
Years1:1993–1999
Caps1:104
Goals1:104
Clubs1:TP-Seinäjoki
Years3:2000
Caps3:18
Goals3:1
Clubs3:Joensuun Pallo
Years4:2001
Caps4:14
Goals4:0
Clubs4:TP-Seinäjoki
Years5:2002
Caps5:12
Goals5:4
Clubs5:JIPPO
Years6:2002–2004
Caps6:45
Goals6:7
Clubs6:Viikingit
Years7:2005
Caps7:16
Goals7:1
Clubs7:Someron Voima
Years8:2006
Caps8:2
Goals8:1
Clubs8:Kontu
Years9:2006
Caps9:10
Goals9:0
Clubs9:Viikingit
Totalcaps:221
Totalgoals:118
Manageryears1:2007–2009
Manageryears2:2010
Managerclubs2:HIFK
Manageryears3:2011
Managerclubs3:Gnistan
Manageryears4:2012–2016
Managerclubs4:HIFK
Manageryears5:2017–2019
Managerclubs5:KuPS
Manageryears6:2020–2021
Managerclubs6:SJK
Manageryears7:2023–
Managerclubs7:KuPS
Manageryears8:2024–
Managerclubs8:Finland (assistant)

Jani Honkavaara (born 2 February 1976[2]) is a Finnish football manager and retired football player, who is currently the manager of KuPS, and an assistant coach of the Finland national football team.[3]

Career

Honkavaara began his football career in TP-Seinäjoki (formerly known as Törnävän Pallo-55). During his time in the club, he played 10 matches in Finnish top tier Veikkausliiga. Later in his career he was mainly known for playing for East Helsinki based club FC Viikingit of Vuosaari.

Managerial career

After retiring as a football player, Honkavaara was first appointed to the role of reserve team head coach in FC Viikingit. In 2007, he was appointed the head coach for the 2007 Veikkausliiga season, and held position of coach in the club until 2009. In autumn 2009 he was selected as head coach of HIFK where he led the club towards promotion to Finnish first division Ykkönen after season 2010. He resigned from the role of manager of HIFK after season 2011.[4] After the successful spell at HIFK, he went to coach another Helsinki based club IF Gnistan. Despite rather successful season, he then resigned from the club after season 2012, citing to family reasons.[5] Soon after he was appointed as the new head coach of HIFK which had faced relegation back to Finnish second division, Kakkonen, after the ending season, led by Honkavaara's successor in the managerial role, Juha Moilanen.[6] Right after next and very successful season 2013, he led HIFK back to Ykkönen. After the 2014 season, HIFK was promoted to Veikkausliiga, making it to the top tier of Finnish football for the first time in over 40 years.[7]

At the end of November 2016 it was announced, that Honkavaara would be the new manager of KuPS, starting from 1 January 2017.[8] In the 2019 Veikkausliiga season, Honkavaara led KuPS to its first Finnish championship title in 43 years.[9]

In October 2019 Honkavaara was announced as the new manager of his hometown side SJK.[10] In the 2021 season, the team finished 3rd in Veikkausliiga and won the bronze medal.

In April 2023, Honkavaara returned to KuPS, when the club sacked Pasi Tuutti after only three games in the season.[11] Honkavaara led KuPS to finish 2nd in 2023 Veikkausliiga season, by a goal difference to HJK. In the end of the season, the club first didn't exercise their option, but later announced that Honkavaara's contract was extended for the 2024 season.[12]

On 17 June 2024, Honkavaara was also named the new assistant coach of Finland national football team.[13] It was also announced that he would not continue as the manager of KuPS after the 2024 season.

Achievements

HIFK

2014KuPS

SJK

Individual

Notes and References

  1. http://www.sjk.fi/w/sjk-aloitti-kauteen-valmistautumisen SJK aloitti kauteen valmistautumisen
  2. Web site: Honkavaara luottaa pelaajalähtöisyyteen . 2015-08-24 . Keski-Uusimaa . 2017-06-04 .
  3. Web site: Jani Honkavaara johdatti SJK:n pronssille, mutta työt eivät jatku Veikkausliigassa: "Ulkomaille ei noin vain mennä" . 2021-10-31 . Yle . 2021-11-01 .
  4. Web site: Honkavaaran jättää HIFK:n: Koin jatkamisen vaikeaksi ja jopa mahdottomaksi.
  5. Web site: Jani Honkavaara ei jatka Gnistanin päävalmentajana. 7 October 2012.
  6. Web site: Jani Honkavaara HIFK:n valmentajaksi. 27 October 2009.
  7. Web site: Pitkä korpivaellus sai päätöksensä. 14 October 2014.
  8. http://www.kups.fi/fi/uutiset/jani-honkavaara-ryhtyy-luotsaamaan-kuopion-palloseuraa?start=24 Jani Honkavaara ryhtyy luotsaamaan Kuopion Palloseuraa
  9. Web site: KuPS end 43 years of waiting for Finnish title.
  10. Web site: Jani Honkavaara on SJK:n uusi päävalmentaja. 23 October 2019.
  11. https://yle.fi/a/74-20028362 Mestarivalmentaja Jani Honkavaara palaa KuPSiin – lataa suorat sanat alkukauden ongelmista: ”Aika paljon muuttuu”
  12. https://kups.fi/honsu-ja-siku-jatkavat-savossa-molemmille-vuoden-jatkosopimus-kupsin-kanssa/ Honsu ja Siku jatkavat Savossa – molemmille vuoden jatkosopimus KuPSin kanssa!
  13. https://www.palloliitto.fi/ajankohtaista/markku-kanerva-jatkaa-huuhkajien-paavalmentajana-valmennusryhmassa-iso-uudistus Markku Kanerva jatkaa Huuhkajien päävalmentajana – Valmennusryhmässä iso uudistus
  14. http://www.veikkausliiga.com/uutiset/2017/06/12/morelos-jalleen-kuukauden-pelaajaksi Morelos jälleen kuukauden pelaajaksi
  15. https://www.veikkausliiga.com/uutiset/2024/06/07/ac-oulun-ashley-coffey-kuukauden-pelaaja-veikkausliigan-toukokuun-joukkue-valittu AC Oulun Ashley Coffey kuukauden pelaaja - toukokuun joukkue valittu