Ilves extend Camilo Speranza through 2027 after defensive turnaround

Ilves have exercised their option to keep Camilo Speranza as head coach through 2027, Tamperelainen reports. Speranza, 44, took over at the start of July ahead of the UEFA Conference League qualifiers when Ilves dismissed Joni Lehtonen and appointed him. He guided Ilves to the third qualifying round before the run ended against HNK Rijeka.

In domestic play the team won three of Speranza's first four Veikkausliiga matches and began the qualification series with a 2–0 victory over FF Jaro. A weak finish to the regular season left Ilves outside the top six.

Defensively the improvement has been clear: Ilves conceded 29 goals in the season's first 15 matches but only eight in the eight games after Speranza's arrival.

Speranza said he feels privileged to be part of the club and to live in Tampere. He added that the team's objective for the remainder of the campaign is clear: to try to win every game while continuing to build its identity with humility.