IS: Shocking news about Raimo Helmisen’s return to Ilves – “Are you saying no to Ilves?”
The coaching plans for Ilves next season are taking an interesting turn. The current head coach Tommi Niemelä‘s contract ends after this season, and it has been reported that he is close to moving to HIFK.
According to Ilta-Sanomat reports, Ilves has already had preliminary discussions with SaiPa’s head coach Raimo Helminen. Helminen’s contract also ends after this season, but SaiPa has started negotiations for an extension with him.
Helminen’s possible return to Tampere has also sparked interest among players. According to Ilta-Sanomat, several Ilves alumni playing elsewhere have reacted enthusiastically to the idea of the club legend returning as head coach.
The paper’s expert Topi Nättinen considers Helminen to be Ilves’ clear first choice if Niemelä changes scenery.
– Surely Raipella is doing very well in Lappeenranta and everything is working in every direction, but if your name is Raimo Helminen, would you say no to Ilves?
– Even if we completely forget the history of who Raipe is to Ilves, he should still be the first choice, the expert emphasizes.
Helminen’s track record at SaiPa is impressive. The Lappeenranta club has been the best team in the league in terms of points per game since the beginning of his coaching tenure. Helminen is also the only league coach who has won a medal in the last two seasons.
Nättinen believes that hiring Helminen could also make it easier to attract Ilves alumni back to Tampere.
– Agents and especially players aged 23–28 must be quite foolish if they would refuse Raipen’s coaching and daily life after the performances of recent years.
– Or let’s throw out an example from Ilves alumni, like Toni Rajala, who has played in Switzerland for a long time. Hypothetically speaking, if he wanted to return to Finland to play, I think he would prefer to come to Ilves with Raipen rather than Niemelä, Nättinen speculates.
Helminen has previously coached at Ilves. He served as the club’s head coach in the 2012–13 season and as an assistant coach in the 2022–23 season.
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