Janne Pesonen is now speaking - harsh revelation to IS.

HIFK terminated its sports director Janne Pesonen‘s contract on November 18. Since then, Pesonen has stayed out of the public eye, but now, a little over three months later, he opened up to Ilta-Sanomat.

Pesonen served as HIFK’s sports director for just over one season. His first season brought the team a fourth place in the regular season and a final position of fifth. However, the poor start to the current season ultimately proved to be his downfall.

Pesonen says he knew in advance what kind of role he was stepping into, but not all twists could be anticipated.

– I pretty much knew what I was getting into and what the job was about. But then there were quite a few surprising variables that you can’t really influence in advance, Pesonen tells IS.

One of the most significant challenges was the exceptional number of injuries that plagued the team during the fall.

– I don’t remember a time when half the team was on the sidelines at the same time.

The situation was further complicated by Pesonen’s own health issues. He had been on sick leave for several weeks before his dismissal due to an inflammatory abscess that did not heal with antibiotics and ultimately required surgery.

– There was an inflammatory abscess in my body that did not heal with antibiotics and had to be operated on, Pesonen reveals.

Recovery was, according to him, tough.

– That’s why I had a bit longer break. It was surprisingly intense. No surgery before had knocked me down like that.

When asked whether his illness had any impact on his dismissal, Pesonen does not comment on behalf of his employer.

– That needs to be asked from the other side. At least from my side, it wasn’t.

The one-and-a-half-year tenure left Pesonen feeling that his work was partially unfinished. He feels he did not have the chance to fully demonstrate his skills in building the team.

– Practically, I didn’t even have time to fully build my own team. There were still contracts that were rolling back.

The short duration of his time in the position is disappointing.

– It is a bit disappointing that I didn’t get to measure my own work, and the tenure was so short. But I believe we certainly got some good things started.

Although his collaboration with HIFK ended with his dismissal, Pesonen still closely follows the activities of his former club and hopes for a better future for them.

– Of course, I wish the best for familiar people and hope that HIFK’s fortunes will turn around.