Tommi Laitila (born 9 March 1979) is a Finnish football coach and a former player, currently working as the executive manager of FC Lahti.
 Laitila in 2013 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 9 March 1979 | ||
| Place of birth | Tuusula, Finland | ||
| Position | Goalkeeper | ||
| Youth career | |||
| TuPS | |||
| HJK | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| KäPa | |||
| FinnPa | |||
| Jokerit | |||
| Managerial career | |||
| 2007 | Gnistan (assistant) | ||
| 2008–2009 | Gnistan | ||
| 2013–2018 | Espoo (coaching director) | ||
| 2013–2024 | Finland women (gk coach) | ||
| 2018–2024 | HJS (executive manager) | ||
| 2024– | Lahti (executive manager) | ||
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 17 October 2024 | |||
Playing career
editLaitila started playing football in the youth sector of his hometown club Tuusulan Palloseura (TuPS). Later he has played as a goalkeeper in a youth team of HJK Helsinki, and in the first team of Veikkausliiga club Jokerit.[1] He was also a Finnish youth international. Laitila ended his playing career in 2004 due to injuries.[2][3]
Career
editLaitila was an assistant coach of IF Gnistan in 2007. During 2008–2009, he was the club's first team head coach.[4]
During 2004–2013, Laitila worked as a coaching director of the Uusimaa district of the Finnish FA. In August 2013, he was named the coaching director of FC Espoo.[5]
Since 2013, he has also been serving as a goalkeeping coach of the Finland women's national football team.[6] He left the team after 2024.
Between August 2018 and October 2024, Laitila worked as an executive manager of Hämeenlinnan Jalkapalloseura (HJS).[7][8][9]
On 17 September 2024, Laitila was named the executive manager of FC Lahti, starting in the position on 1 November, mainly focusing on the youth sector and the unification of the associate clubs Kuusysi and Reipas.[10][11]
Personal life
editLaitila is of White Karelian descent from Jyskyjärvi and Rukajärvi from his mother's side.
References
edit- ↑ Maalivahti loukkaantui FC Jokerien ottelussa, MTV Oy, mtvuutiset.fi, 11 March 2002
- ↑ Entinen maalivahti on onnellinen siitä, että hän on saanut harrastuksestaan ammatin, hameenlinnankupunkiuutiset.fi, 18 August 2018
- ↑ Ykköseen pudonnut FinnPa pitää nykyisen nimensä, Helsingin Sanomat, 15 December 1998
- ↑ Gnistanin Laitila ei usko almuihin, Finnish FA, 29 August 2009
- ↑ Valmennuspäällikkö Tommi Laitila siirtyy FC Espooseen, Finnish FA, 12 August 2013
- ↑ HJS-pomo auttaa Helmareita maalin tilkitsemisessä matkalla EM-kisoihin – ”Tilanne on hyvä ja mielenkiintoinen”, Hämeen Sanomat, 28 October 2020
- ↑ Hämeenlinnan Jalkapalloseuran jättävälle Tommi Laitilalle siirto Lahteen on uralla askel eteenpäin – Lahdessa Laitilan vakuutti seuran urheilustrategia, Etelä-Suomen Sanomat, 20 September 2024
- ↑ HJS:n jättävän Tommi Laitilan uusi seura selvisi, Hämeen Sanomat, 17 September 2024
- ↑ HJS:n toiminnanjohtaja vaihtuu ‒ Tommi Laitila uusiin haasteisiin kuluvan toimintakauden jälkeen, hjs.fi, 17 September 2024
- ↑ FC Lahti ry:n toiminnanjohtaja on Tommi Laitila, fclahti.fi, 17 September 2024
- ↑ Tommi Laitilasta FC Lahden toiminnanjohtaja, Yle, 18 September 2024