IL: Olli Jokinen's outrageous salary revealed – huge bill for HIFK from the layoffs

The decision by HIFK to dismiss head coach Olli Jokinen leaves the Helsinki club with a bill of hundreds of thousands of euros.

According to Iltalehti journalist Timo Kunnari’s information, Jokinen earned about 400,000 euros per year at HIFK. His two-year contract signed in spring 2025 would not have ended until next spring.

If HIFK has to pay Jokinen’s salary until the end of the contract period, the club will accumulate over 200,000 euros in payments. Additionally, there will be employer’s side costs.

Jokinen was among the highest-paid coaches in the league. According to Kunnari, Rikard Grönborg, who led Tappara to two Finnish championships, was in the same salary bracket. Kari Jalonen, who also ended his coaching career, may have belonged to the same group.

The final price tag of HIFK’s coaching change could rise significantly, as Jokinen was not the only one leaving.

At the same time, assistant coaches Anders Carlsson and Mika Hyvärinen, as well as goaltending coach Riku Helenius, were also let go. Their remaining salaries from their contracts may also incur additional costs for HIFK.

Tommi Miettinen was hired to replace Jokinen on a contract for the remainder of the season.

Miettinen himself was dismissed from his position as head coach of TPS in April 2025, but his salary continued to be paid by the Turku club this autumn.

Without a new job, TPS’s salary payments would have continued until the end of the current season.

Miettinen’s first match as head coach of HIFK is set for Friday in a Hockey Night game held in Espoo.