Joonas Rantanen

Joonas Rantanen (born 27 July 1987) is a Finnish football manager, currently working as a manager of Veikkausliiga club Ilves. Rantanen has a UEFA Pro -coaching license.

Coaching career

Rantanen started as a sports coordinator for youth teams in HJK Helsinki organisation in 2009. He worked for HJK in various positions until 2015, when he had a brief study leave.

During 2016–2019, Rantanen worked as a head coach of HJK women's team competing in Naisten Liiga, leading the team to win Finnish championship title in 2019, and Finnish Women's Cup in 2017 and 2019.

He was named the head coach of Klubi 04, the reserve team of HJK, for the 2020 season, winning the Kakkonen Group B and gaining a promotion to Ykkönen. Rantanen worked as an assistant coach in Toni Koskela's coaching staff in HJK first team for the 2021 Veikkausliiga season.

During 2022–2023, Rantanen worked as a head coach of IF Gnistan in the second-tier Ykkönen, leading the team to finish as Ykkönen runner-up and qualify for the Veikkausliiga promotion play-offs at the end of the 2023 season, eventually losing to IFK Mariehamn. However, Gnistan were later granted the Veikkausliiga license and promoted via supplemental process, after FC Honka was declared for bankruptcy.

On 23 October 2023, Rantanen was appointed as the manager of Veikkausliiga club Ilves on a two-year deal, starting in 2024. In his first season as a manager in the top tier, he coached the team in the 2024–25 UEFA Conference League qualifiers, advancing by an aggregate win against Austria Wien, eventually falling short to Djurgården in the 3rd round.

Personal life

Rantanen has graduated as a Master of Education (MEd).

His father Jari Rantanen is a former police and football coach.

Managerial statistics

As of 2 October 2024

Managerial honours

HJK women

• Naisten Liiga: 2019
• Finnish Women's Cup: 2017, 2019

Klubi 04

• Kakkonen, Group B: 2020

IF Gnistan

• Ykkönen runner-up: 2023