The most successful head coach of the Lions, Jukka Jalonen, will not be seen at the helm of any Liiga team next season. The 63-year-old multiple championship winner confirms this in an interview with Ilta-Sanomat.

Jalonen’s project as the head coach of the Italian national team will end at the World Championships in the spring. Speculation about a return to Liiga during the “super season,” even mid-season, can however be put to rest according to the man himself.

– I know that there will definitely be firings. Everyone knows that. With probably 17 teams in the league, three of which will be relegated, there will definitely be dismissals.

– But I am not available. I will not coach in the league next year, Jalonen promises.

– No two ways about it. There’s no point in calling me, the successful coach emphasizes.

However, Jalonen does not completely rule out the possibility of coaching next season. In this case, it would only be a position outside the borders of Finland.

– Foreign countries are a different matter. It is within the realm of possibilities, depending on what comes from there, Jalonen adds.

Jalonen has led the Lions to gold at the World Championships three times. His list of achievements also includes one Olympic gold.

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