Nordic Football News

In: Petter Meyer, Joonas Laurikainen, Jani Tanska, Jani Sarajärvi, Janne Vellamo, Heikki Aho, Papa Niang, Jesse Öst, Björn-Erik Sundkvist, Vitali Teles

Out: Jussi Aalto, Jukka-Pekka Tuomanen, Mathias Kullström, Jussi Roiko, Toni Junnila, Niklas Storbacka, Frank Jonke, Jordan Simpson

Coach: Mika Laurikainen

Claimed playing budget: €625,065 (includes coaches too)

Egan says: Financial difficulties have dominated Jaro’s winter, but a new ownership structure is now in place and the club has stabilised off the pitch. Jani Tanska is young enough to thrive in his new environment, and Sebastian Mannström could be on the verge of fulfilling his potential, but the lack of squad depth could hurt Jaro. Whatever happens, they will try to play passing football, and for that reason most neutrals will wish them well.

Juha says: It is surprising how Jaro managed to strenghten their squad with players like Sarajärvi, Vellamo and Aho while in the midst of financial crisis. Unfortunately the club has also faced an outflow of some key players, and do indeed lack depth. Jaro will struggle to achieve anything more than a lower mid-table finish, but they are one of the better teams down in the relegation battle.

Fan’s View: Not so much a fan as an institution, we are lucky to have the doyen of Ostrobothnian football journalists to give us his view on Jaro.  Sören Bäck is a journalist who has written two legendary books about the club: “Från Wilson till Westerlund” (2002) and “Gör mål Jaro!” (2005). They can be ordered from: soren.back@ot.fi. During 1991-99 he was based in England, where he wrote about English football.

1. Realistically, how will your team do?

There are 4 or 5 big teams, and it will be difficult to compete with them over 26 games, but if I think if everything goes to plan then Jaro can finish in mid-table.

2. Which teams did you like and dislike most last season?

I liked Inter. It was nice to have new champions, especially when they are a team that plays quick, passing football. Stefan Håkans is a bit of a maverick too, he was well worth the title after all his investments.

RoPS were a bit questionable in that they flew in a team of Africans two weeks before the season started, and I’m not sure how that helps Finnish football. I think clubs should take a broader responsibility for their own juniors and football in their local community.

3. What was the best moment of last season?

The start of the season is always especially important and beating Honka in the first home game was an unexpected bonus. It will not be any easier this year as Jaro start with three difficult away games: Tampere United, Inter and TPS.

4. What was the worst moment of last season?

Losing against TP-47 in the cup.This competition is realistically the only chance for Jaro to win something as a small-town club does not have the financial muscle to win the League. After reaching the cup final 1992 and 1999 another cup run is now long overdue.

5. If your club wasn’t in the football business what other business would it be in?

It would probably be out of business. Something that also looked possible during this autumn and winter.

6. Who will win Veikkausliiga and who will go down? (Just the names will do)

HJK will win and KuPS go down.