Now it is certain – Raimo Helminen returns to Ilves!
Ilves has confirmed the long-awaited head coach news. Raimo Helminen, 62, will return as the head coach of the Tampere club next season.
Helminen has signed a two-year contract with Ilves, covering the Liiga seasons 2027–2028 and 2028–2029.
Helminen, who is in his third season as the head coach of SaiPa, will replace Tommi Niemelä, 43, who will move to become the head coach of Helsingin IFK after the current season. HIFK also confirmed Niemelä’s contract on Wednesday.
Ilves states in its announcement that the coaching decisions were wanted to be made public at this stage so that all parties can focus calmly on the ongoing season.
– We wanted to be open and inform about our head coach situation now that things have been confirmed. The clubs and coaches involved have also agreed not to comment further on Tommi Niemelä’s and Raimo Helminen’s upcoming seasons publicly during the remainder of the season, so we can ensure all parties have the best possible working peace until the current contracts expire, says Ilves’ sports director Timo Koskela in the club’s announcement.
Helminen is a club legend for Ilves, and his return to Tampere has sparked considerable discussion even before the official confirmation.
– Both Niemelä and Helminen have done great work in their current clubs. The time for sharing thanks and thoughts about the upcoming seasons will be in the spring after the conclusion of the Liiga super season, Koskela continues.
Ilves will announce the composition of Helminen’s upcoming coaching staff after the current season ends.
READ ALSO: SaiPa reacts to Raimo Helminen’s departure – new head coach confirmed
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