Ilves dismisses Joni Lehtonen, appoints Camilo Speranza as head coach
Ilves has dismissed head coach Joni Lehtonen and appointed Camilo Speranza as his successor; Speranza starts on Tuesday.
Ilves dismissed head coach Joni Lehtonen on Monday and named Camilo Speranza his successor, YLE reported.
Speranza, 44, starts on Tuesday. He coached Uruguayan top‑flight side Liverpool FC Montevideo from January until April this year and has previously worked as an assistant at Watford and Real Valladolid. The rest of the coaching staff will remain in their current roles, the club said.
The change is intended to turn the team’s form around so Ilves can reach the Championship Series and push on in the upcoming Conference League qualifiers, sporting director Iikka Miettinen said. Ilves sit ninth in the Veikkausliiga after 15 matches, with 16 points.
It follows the club's May season launch and 2026–27 plans, when Ilves outlined its coaching arrangements and competition ambitions.
Earlier coverage
Catch the full story over at YLE
