Jani Honkavaara

Jani Honkavaara (born 2 February 1976 ) is a Finnish football manager and retired football player, who is currently the manager of KuPS, and an assistant coach of the Finland national football team.

Career
Honkavaara began his football career in TP-Seinäjoki (formerly known as Törnävän Pallo-55). During his time in the club, he played 10 matches in Finnish top tier Veikkausliiga. Later in his career he was mainly known for playing for East Helsinki based club FC Viikingit of Vuosaari.

Managerial career
After retiring as a football player, Honkavaara was first appointed to the role of reserve team head coach in FC Viikingit. In 2007, he was appointed the head coach for the 2007 Veikkausliiga season, and held position of coach in the club until 2009. In autumn 2009 he was selected as head coach of HIFK where he led the club towards promotion to Finnish first division Ykkönen after season 2010. He resigned from the role of manager of HIFK after season 2011. After the successful spell at HIFK, he went to coach another Helsinki based club IF Gnistan. Despite rather successful season, he then resigned from the club after season 2012, citing to family reasons. Soon after he was appointed as the new head coach of HIFK which had faced relegation back to Finnish second division, Kakkonen, after the ending season, led by Honkavaara's successor in the managerial role, Juha Moilanen. Right after next and very successful season 2013, he led HIFK back to Ykkönen. After the 2014 season, HIFK was promoted to Veikkausliiga, making it to the top tier of Finnish football for the first time in over 40 years.

At the end of November 2016 it was announced, that Honkavaara would be the new manager of KuPS, starting from 1 January 2017. In the 2019 Veikkausliiga season, Honkavaara led KuPS to its first Finnish championship title in 43 years.

In October 2019 Honkavaara was announced as the new manager of his hometown side SJK. In the 2021 season, the team finished 3rd in Veikkausliiga and won the bronze medal.

In April 2023, Honkavaara returned to KuPS, when the club sacked Pasi Tuutti after only three games in the season. Honkavaara led KuPS to finish 2nd in 2023 Veikkausliiga season, by a goal difference to HJK. In the end of the season, the club first didn't exercise their option, but later announced that Honkavaara's contract was extended for the 2024 season.

On 17 June 2024, Honkavaara was also named the new assistant coach of Finland national football team.

Achievements
HIFK KuPS SJK
 * Ykkönen: 2014
 * Veikkausliiga: Champions 2019, Runners-up 2023
 * Finnish League Cup: 2024 Runners-up
 * Veikkausliiga: 3rd place 2021

Individual
 * Veikkausliiga Coach of the Month: May 2017, May 2024