Toni Korkeakunnas (born 15 May 1968) is a Finnish football manager and a former professional player. He is currently the head coach of Lithuanian club Panevėžys.
Playing career Korkeakunnas started his senior career with TP-Seinäjoki, where he spent eight years in total. Additionally he played for Vaasan Palloseura (VPS), PK-35, HIFK and Gnistan during his career.
Managerial career At the club level, Korkeakunnas has managed in Veikkausliiga in FC Hämeenlinna, MYPA and FC Lahti. At the end of his first season with Lahti in 2014, he led the club to finish 3rd in Veikkausliiga, tying their best-record in the league. He has also been a head coach of IF Gnistan in second-tier Ykkönen and third-tier Kakkonen, and FC Viikingit in Ykkönen.
On 23 November 2021, Korkeakunnas signed a contract to join HJK as an assistant coach for the 2022 season.
On 13 July 2023, HJK sacked Toni Koskela following a poor run of form, and appointed Korkeakunnas manager for the rest of the 2023 season. Korkeakunnas also works in Markku Kanerva’s coaching staff in the Finland national football team.https://www.hs.fi/urheilu/art-2000009716653.html|date=13 July 2023 Korkeakunnas led HJK to the 2023–24 UEFA Europa Conference League group stage, and won the fourth straight Veikkausliiga title for the club in 2023. In the end of the season, his contract was not extended.
However, after a poor start to the 2024 season, HJK sacked their associate head coach Ferran Sibila and sporting director Vesa Mäki on 20 May 2024, and Korkeakunnas returned again to the club's head coach position, on a deal until the end of 2025.Toni Korkeakunnas palaa HJK:n päävalmentajaksi, hjk.fi, 20 May 2024 His contract with Finland national team and the Finnish FA was simultaneously terminated.Toni Korkeakunnas siirtyy HJK:n miesten edustusjoukkueen päävalmentajaksi – samalla sopimus Huuhkajissa päättyy, Finnish FA, 20 May 2024 Korkeakunnas managed HJK to qualify for the new UECL league phase in 2024, but couldn't defend the domestic championship as HJK finished third in the league. On 22 April 2025, after a 1–0 home loss against IF Gnistan, Korkeakunnas led HJK to a historical six-game losing streak in the league.HJK:n katastrofi syvenee – taas turpiin ja päälle surkuhupaisa ennätys, Ilta-Sanomat, 22 April 2025 He was sacked on 4 May, after a 1–1 draw against Inter Turku.Kiitos, Toke! – HJK:n valmennukseen muutos, hjk.fi, 4 May 2025
On 27 May 2025, Korkeakunnas was named the manager of FK Haugesund in Norwegian Eliteserien.NY HOVEDTRENER PÅ PLASS, fkh.no, 27 May 2025 The club were sitting at the bottom of the table having gained only one point in nine matches. On 10 August, Korkeakunnas managed Haugesund to win their first match of the season, in a 3–2 home win against Sarpsborg. In March 2026, before the start of the new season, Korkeakunnas was sacked.
Personal life Korkeakunnas was born in Helsinki and grew up in Loviisa. He holds a Master of Education degree and has worked as an elementary school teacher.Toni Korkeakunnas – Opettaja, fclahti.fi, 12 August 2017
Korkeakunnas or "Toke", as he is called, has also earned an extra nickname "Tikku" for constantly chewing toothpicks during the match.Veikkausliigaseuran valmentajalla erikoinen tapa peleissä: ”Se on hyvin terapeuttista”, is.fi, 17 April 2015
Managerial statistics
TeamNatFromToRecordPWDLGFGAGDW%Gnistan1 January 199931 December 2002Hämeenlinna19 May 200431 December 2004Gnistan1 January 200731 December 2007Viikingit1 January 200831 December 2010MYPA1 January 201131 December 2013Lahti1 January 20141 October 2018HJK14 July 202331 December 2023HJK21 May 20243 May 2025Haugesund27 May 20259 March 2026Panevėžys9 April 2026presentTotal
Managerial honours HJK Veikkausliiga: 2023
FC Lahti Finnish League Cup: 2016
Individual Veikkausliiga Manager of the Year: 2012 Veikkausliiga Manager of the Month: July 2011,Ojalalle toinen titteli peräkkäin April 2012,Magnus Bahnesta Veikkausliigan huhtikuun pelaaja August 2012,Pekka Sihvola elokuun kuukauden pelaaja August 2013,Hongan Abdoulaye Méïté Veikkausliigan elokuun pelaaja July 2014,Henrik Moisander heinäkuun kuukauden pelaaja July 2015,Mika Hilander Veikkausliigan heinäkuun pelaaja July 2017, June 2024SJK:n Jaime Moreno Veikkausliigan kuukauden pelaaja kesäkuussa, veikkaus.fi, 5 July 2024 Finnish Coach of the Month: October 2023Lokakuun valmentaja: Toni Korkeakunnas, suomenvalmentajat.fi, 6 November 2023
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