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 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 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.

Rantanen was appointed as the manager of Veikkausliiga club Ilves on a two-year deal, starting in 2024.

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

HJK women

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

Klubi 04

 * Kakkonen, Group B: 2020

IF Gnistan

 * Ykkönen: 2023 Runners-up